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Assistant Professor
Department of Biology, University of Vermont. Research Associate, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, SI. Affiliate Faculty, Gund Institute, University of Vermont Member of the Committee of Scientific Advisors for the Marine Mammal Commission Chair of the Committee of Scientific Advisors, The Society of Marine Mammalogy. Member of the UVM SACNAS Chapter Phone: (802) 656-4138 Office: 215 MLS; Lab 224 Department of Biology, UVM Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @ondaslab instagram: @maycolladolab |
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Interests: Evolution, Behavior, Conservation
I am a marine mammal evolutionary biologist researching the phylogenetic and ecological factors shaping the
acoustic repertoire of aquatic mammals. My research implements phylogenomics, field observations, autonomous underwater recording systems, unmanned aerial vehicles to study, and machine learning tools to study the diversity of communicative signals produced by aquatic mammals in their natural environment. Our research is done in collaboration with international scientists and students in an effort to ensure we contribute to the formation of the next generation of marine mammal scientists.
acoustic repertoire of aquatic mammals. My research implements phylogenomics, field observations, autonomous underwater recording systems, unmanned aerial vehicles to study, and machine learning tools to study the diversity of communicative signals produced by aquatic mammals in their natural environment. Our research is done in collaboration with international scientists and students in an effort to ensure we contribute to the formation of the next generation of marine mammal scientists.
Tursiops truncatus-Photo by Laura May-Collado
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Steno bredanensis-Photo by Ana Lucia Rodriguez
Sotalia guianensis -Photo by Laura May-Collado
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Eric, your influence is why many of us know each other and collaborate today. Science was your calling, a calling to uncover the beauty that lies hidden in the remarkable biology of marine organisms. “ Fair winds and following seas, shipmate. We have the watch.” Rest in peace, dear friend.
Our lab received the terrible news of Eric's passing on December 6. Eric's was not only a collaborator but also a dear friend, and we will miss him dearly. In honor of his legacy, charisma, and love for science we will continue pursuing the work that we started together.
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Publication Alert
May-Collado, L. ., Rasmussen, K., Palacios Alfaro, J. D., & Garita Alpizar, F. 2024. First record of humpback whales in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 19 (2), 231-236. https://doi.org/10.5597/lajam00335.
Contributions to Inclusion in Science and Public Engagement
First collection of studies on the biology of marine mammals of Central America!
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Sonidos de Osa is a collaboration between our lab and musicians from Costa Rica, a tribute to the whales and nature of Osa. | ||
International Collaborations
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LECAN is directed by Dr. Juan Jose Alvarado at UCR/CIMAR with whom we will be staring the IRES-NSF funded marine biology training program.
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Our current fieldwork involves the continuation of the ONDAS Initiative by deploying more soundtraps and hydromoths in the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Central America. The ONDAs project involves a series of studies on the communication and behavioral ecology of humpback whales (northern and southern populations) and toothed whales in the region, and the study of the soundscape of various marine communities. To follow our work in Instagram @maycolladolab and bluesky @ondaslab
Posdoctoral Fellow Eric Ramos using a drone to follow mixed species dolphin groups in Gandoca Manzanillo, Costa Rica. Photo Laura J May Collado
Photographing and recording humpback whales (breeding stock G) in the waters of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Photo by Laura J May Collado
Postdoc Eric Ramos studying manatee behavior in Belize. Photo by Eric Ramos
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A mixed species group of dolphins with bottlenose and Guiana dolphins in Gandoca-Manzanillo, Costa Rica. Photo by Eric Ramos.
AMP student Franny Oppenheimer and PhD student Ilaria Coero Borga, studying humpback whales in the Gulf of Chiriquí Panama with researcher Kristin Rasmussen.
Dr. May-Collado studying whales in Santa Elena Bay, Costa Rica. Photo by Laura J May Collado
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Collaborators Jeremy Kiszka and Jose David Palacios photographing Guiana dolphins in Gandoca Manzanillo. Photo Laura J May Collado
Researcher Jose David Palacios deploying hydromoths recorders in coral reefs to study the effect of bleaching on the soundscape (photo by Ana Lucia Rodriguez Tinoco)
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Online Teaching Resources
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Outreach through Social Media
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Great conversation with my dear friend Monika Naranjo Gonzalez in her Antarctica Podcast.
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Video source by Paulo Castro. https://peerj.com/articles/6670/
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