|
Research
Interests:
Michael Richlen's aspirations to work as a marine biologist
began as far back as he can remember. His enthusiasm prevailed through
most of his adolescence until a dolphin trainer at the Vancouver
Aquarium derailed his ambitions by quickly warning him, "Listen
kid, there are no jobs and no money." Disillusioned, Michael
shifted his focus to medicine and attended Brandeis University with
the assumption that a medical degree would satisfy his lingering
interest in science. While in his second year, he woke up one day
and realized that he, in fact, was not satisfied. Stymied by which
career alternatives would be pleasing, Michael took courses from
numerous departments and remained confused and discouraged. It is
often the little things that end up having the biggest impact. While
studying one Saturday morning with the TV on in the background,
he overheard a character talking about blue whales. His ears perked
up, as well as his motivation to rediscover his childhood fascination.
So, with the impetus stemming from a cheesy Saturday morning sit-com
(California Dreams), Michael's renewed curiosity for marine science
took him back to his hometown, and to the University of Washington.
This is where Michael first achieved "gradual student"
status and completed two undergraduate degrees prior to becoming
resolute in his enthusiasm for a particular career path.
Over
the past several years, Michael has spent the majority of his time
living on boats and studying marine mammals across the entire Pacific;
from the Bering Sea all the way to New Zealand. Somehow along the
way, between trips at sea, he completed a master's degree analyzing
the acoustic behavior of Antarctic killer whales. The outcome of
this tale is obvious, as Michael is now a PhD student at the University
of Hawaii.
Michael
is continuing research on the acoustic ecology of cetaceans and
is interested in the ecological and evolutionary influences on acoustic
signaling among odontocete. Although Michael is very pleased to
have a predominantly land based life again, he is looking forward
to spending time on the water, and perhaps under it as well, becoming
more familiar with the dynamic marine environments of Hawaii.
|
