Laura J May-Collado, Ph.D.
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      • Marine Mammal Field Course 2019
      • Marine Mammal Field Course 2015
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Assistant Professor
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Department of Biology, University of Vermont.

Research Associate, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, SI.
Chair of the Committee of Scientific Advisors, The Society of Marine Mammalogy.
Member of the UVM SACNAS Chapter
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Phone: (802) 656-4138
​Office: 215 MLS; Lab 224
Department of Biology, UVM
Email: lmaycoll@uvm.edu
Google Scholar Page

Interests: Evolution, Behavior, Conservation

I am an marine mammal evolutionary biologist researching the phylogenetic and ecological factors shaping the evolution of communication in aquatic mammals. My research involves the use of phylogenies, field observations, autonomous underwater recording systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles to study cetaceans and sirenians.  My students work on projects involving the application of soundscape and machine learning tools to study the diversity of communicative signals produced by these animals in relation to their acoustic environment, behavior, and group social structure. As Costa Rican, supporting the next generation of Hispanic marine mammal scientists in Central America and elsewhere is one of the top priorities in my lab.

PictureLogo created by the Smith Lab http://smithneurallab.weebly.com/

​The May-Collado Lab is committed to ​equity, justice, and inclusivity in STEM.


Recent Publications


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2023 Lab Highlights!

We started this year with great news regarding funding! and opportunities to share the work we do in our lab!
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Maia has been granted the Short-Term Fellowship by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The fellowship will cover fieldwork expenses for 2023 and 2024.
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Franny is the new recipient of the Kay, Klieman, and Larrabee Summer Undergraduate Research Award . This award will allow Franny to go to the field this summer to record humpback whales in Panama.
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Maia, Ilaria, and Manali at the Northeast Regional Acoustic Symposium, University of New Hampshire
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Manali presenting her work on the vocal repertoire of pantropical spotted dolphins at the 2023 Northeast Regional Acoustics Symposium. This work was submitted to Scientific Reports for publication.
We started 2023 deploying soundtraps in the northern Pacific of coast of Costa Rica, and then moving to the Caribbean coast to study the ecology and conservation status of Guiana and Bottlenose dolphins. To follow our research adventures, follow our Instagram account @maycolladolab.
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Tedx and Social Media

Video source by Paulo Castro. ​https://peerj.com/articles/6670/
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Great conversation with my dear friend Monika Naranjo Gonzalez in her Antarctica Podcast.  ​