Interests: Evolution, Behavior, ConservationTica de corazon-Born in Palmar Sur, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Lecturer and Research Associate at the Department of Biology, University of Vermont Research Associate at CIMAR (Centro de Investigacion en Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia), Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica Affiliated Professor at Universidad Maritima Internacional de Panama. Member of the Committee of Scientific Advisors for The Society for Marine Co-Founder of Panacetacea.org Phone: (802) 656-8646, Office: 102 MLS at UVM Email: lmaycollado@gmail.com; lmaycoll@uvm.edu |
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Research
My main research interest is on the evolution of acoustic communication in marine mammals. I use a number of methods including phylogenetics, data mining, bioacoustics, and behavior to study how acoustic signals evolved in these animals and to understand how they respond to changes in their soundscape. I am also interested in the application of new technology such as UAS and recording systems to study underwater behavior and habitat use, and more recently in the application of molecular methods to the phylogeography of whip spiders in the Caribbean.
Awareness & Outreach
Habitat loss, overexploitation, and increasing noise levels are threatening the soundscape of many marine organisms, including marine mammals. A significant part of my research career is to use monitoring data to address conservation concerns on marine mammals, provide training, and develop awareness and outreach activities for the general public.
Teaching
Teaching is an important part of what I do. I teach a number of courses including general biology, zoology, acoustic communication, evolution, and marine mammal field biology.
A collaboration with colleagues from Costa Rica, Panama, and USA will be coming soon on this book!
Multitasking!
Studying marine soundscapes
In partnership with Conservation International Costa Rica, Dr. May-Collado is leading the project Ondas, which main goal is to document the impact of boat engine noise in coastal cetaceans. The project uses two models of underwater acoustic recorders to capture the soundscape of three marine habitats and online tools from ARBIMON II to catalog and analyze the information. For more information go to Project Ondas.
Listen to a humpback whale singing at 2 a.m. on September 20, 2016 near Isla del Cano, Costa Rica.
On the communication of a newly discovered species of river dolphin
Graduate Student Gabriel Melos is studying the acoustic behavior of a newly discovered river dolphin in Brazil. Visit Gabi's blog to learn more about what it takes to develop this kind of research
Photos by Gabriel Melos et al.
Communicating our science
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