Cetacean Research Program Staff

Dr. John Ford - Research Scientist

Linda Nichol - Biologist

Graeme Ellis - Technician

Robin Abernethy - Technician

Melissa Boogaards - Technician

Dr. John Ford | Research Scientist

B.Sc. (Honours) Zoology (University of British Columbia)
Ph.D. Zoology (University of British Columbia)

Tel: 250-729-8375
Fax: 250-756-7053
E-mail: John.K.Ford@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Dr. John Ford joined Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2001 as the head of the Cetacean Research Program at the Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Zoology and the Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia.

Dr. Ford has been involved in field studies on cetaceans in western Canadian waters since 1977. His areas of research include the life history, ecology, behaviour and acoustic communication of cetaceans, especially killer whales. In recent years, his research has focused on the conservation status of cetaceans listed under Canada's Species-at-Risk Act and has involved population abundance estimation and development of acoustic tools for determining seasonal abundance of cetaceans in remote offshore waters.

Linda Nichol | Biologist

B.Sc. Zoology (University of British Columbia)
M.Sc. Zoology (University of British Columbia)

Tel: 250-729-8374
Fax: 250-756-7053
E-mail: Linda.Nichol@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Linda Nichol joined the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in 2001, as a research biologist to contribute to research on sea otters and cetaceans in the Pacific Region. Linda completed her M.Sc. in 1990 on the foraging ecology of resident killer whales in B.C.. She has contributed to research involving photo-identification and acoustic monitoring of killer whales, effects of manmade noise on harbour porpoise, and whaling catch records as biological data on historic populations of large cetaceans. In the past, she has also worked on projects related to coastal marine birds, intertidal invertebrates and plants, and environmental monitoring. Current research is focused on the conservation status of SARA listed cetaceans which involves population assessment and research related to population threats. Sea otter research involves population assessment, habitat modeling, and past collaborative research has included assessment of potential threats to sea otters (e.g. genetic diversity, disease, and health). Research undertaken contributes to addressing knowledge gaps in support of conservation and management of marine mammals.

Graeme Ellis | Technician

Vancouver City College
University of Victoria

Tel: 250-756-7245
Fax: 250-756-7053
E-mail: Graeme.Ellis@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Graeme Ellis joined the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as a research technician in 1973. Although his main focus has been on marine mammal research, he has also participated in a number of salmon and shellfish research programs in the Pacific Region.

Graeme has been actively involved in the long-term study of killer whales in the Northeastern Pacific since 1973 and continues to undertake population monitoring through the use of photo-identification. He is also actively involved in working with a number of scientists addressing questions about killer whale diet, winter distribution, genetics, and contaminant levels. He also participates in studies of other SARA listed species such as sea otters, blue whales, and humpback whales.

Robin Abernethy | Technician

B.Sc. Biology (University of Victoria)

Tel: 250-756-7201
Fax: 250-756-7053
E-mail: Robin.Abernethy@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Robin Abernethy joined the Pacific Biological Station in 2005 as a research technician with the Cetacean Research Program. Robin graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc in Biology in 2003. Prior to joining DFO Robin worked as a whale watching naturalist in Johnstone Strait, and then as a warden for the Robson Bight / Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve.

Robin’s participates in field research of SARA listed cetacean species including line transect surveys and photo identification of humpback, fin, and blue whales. She also provides field assistance for the program’s ongoing killer whale research. Robin continues to work closely with the Marine Mammal Response Network after coordinating the program as incident response coordinator in 2007.

Melissa Boogaards | Technician

B.Sc. Biology (University of Victoria)

Tel: 250-756-7253
Fax: 250-756-7053
E-mail: Melissa.Boogaards@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Melissa Boogaards joined the Pacific Biological Station as a co-op student through the University of Victoria in 2003. She returned in 2005 and is actively involved in humpback whale photo-identification studies. Melissa assists with studies of other cetacean species including killer whale and porpoise diet analysis. Melissa also participates in field research to assess the sea otter population and the distribution of large whales.