Whale Wise PRACTICE PAGE: the team
Protecting whales can never be achieved through solo efforts alone. It requires a team with diverse background and skills, with a shared passion for marine conservation. Luckily, Whale Wise is run by a group of people with experience in whale research, conservation action, public engagement and media. Together, we are committed to making this earth a better place for all of its inhabitants.
Tom Grove
After graduating with a degree in Natural Science (University of Cambridge, UK), Tom has spent the last two years working for various marine research and conservation groups, with a focus on whales. As part of this, he spent a summer working for the University of Iceland in Húsavík, contributing to photo-identification and behavioural research. During this time, he formed the idea of promoting a more sustainable whale watching industry in Iceland and beyond. This idea has now transformed into Whale Wise, with the broader aim of reducing human disturbance to whales. Whale Wise will form part of Tom’s PhD with the University of Edinburgh.
Mark Romanov
A freelance wildlife film-maker, Mark has extensive experience in flying and building drones for filming purposes, including whales and other marine life. He has produced and contributed to various films and documentaries- see his work at www.markromanov.com. Now, he puts his skills to the test for our blow sampling project, which uses drones to collect samples of exhaled breath from humpback and blue whales. Mark also uses his experience in media to produce videos and shape online media platforms for Whale Wise.
Alyssa Stoller
Alyssa grew up in California, spending much of her childhood at the beach and on the ocean. Inspired by her family, she knew from a very young age that she wanted to devote her life to whales and the ocean. Alyssa obtained her BS in Marine Environmental Science from Western Washington University, in the hope of better comprehending the issues that are affecting marine wildlife. She then spent four years as a research assistant (2016 and 2017 as head research assistant) for Cook Islands Whale Research based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, primarily studying humpback whales. In 2018 Alyssa began working with Whale Wise, with the aim of minimising human disturbance to marine life.
Danny Kosiba
Danny went to Hope College (USA) where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology. Throughout Danny’s studies and research experience he has worked on ecological and marine biology based projects. His passion for conservation, the environment, and making a difference in the lives of others led him to contribute to this project to have an impact on a positive relationship between humans and the ocean.
Katy Maleta
Katy graduated with a bachelor degree in natural science from the University of Puget Sound (USA). Her passion for the environment and science has allowed her to be involved in various research projects that are focused on changing the relationship between humans and nature. This is why she became involved with marine conservation : without the ocean, no other life forms would exist.
