Biologist Laura May Collado Named President's Distinguished Lecturer

"Evolution teaches students that they and all living things have the same common ancestors, and that they and their fellow humans are much more similar than they are different. The genetic variation within the groups that we designate as races is much larger than that between those groups. Imagine a world in which every student learns this." Ann Reid, Nature

Courses

  • Course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) Soundscapes and Behavior Research (BIOL 195-A). The core of this course is to apply the process of science through the development of research on marine soundscape ecology and marine mammal behavior. The goal is that students become leaders of their research projects while maintaining a collaborative atmosphere that promotes communication and collaboration.
  • Animal Communication (BIOL 296). This course provides an overview of the different modes used by animals to communicate, with an emphasis on acoustic communication and field methods.
  • Introduction to Marine Sciences (BIOL 196). This course focuses on providing students with baseline information on oceanography, ocean chemistry, and marine biodiversity. We will also hot topics on climate change, fishing, and ocean exploration.
  • Biology of Marine Mammals (BIOL 295).  This course provides an overview of the biology of marine mammals with emphasis on the use standard methods to determine population size, site fidelity, home range, and behavior during lab hours.
  • Mammalogy (Biol-217). Department of Biology. University of Vermont.  This course focuses on the evolutionary and ecological aspects that have made mammals such a morphological and functionally diverse group of vertebrates. The lab provides students an opportunity to use field data and online tools for students to develop their independent research projects. Lab.
  • Special Topics: Marine Soundscape (BIOL 195). This course provides undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about soundscape ecology and develop their own research.
  • Independent Research Seminar. Department of Biology (BIO 295).  This course provides undergraduate students to be part of ongoing research develop my myself and graduate students, providing the opportunity work in a team and publish their first manuscript.
  • Exploring Biology-Organismal Biology (BCOR12) This is an introductory to basic process in organismal biology. Students evaluations consistently positive and above departmental mean.
  • Exploring Biology-Organismal Biology (BCOR11). This is an introductory to basic process on biology, with focus on molecular biology, cell division and communication. Students evaluations consistently positive and above departmental mean.
  • Marine Mammal Biology Field Course (BIOL 296). This is field course aimed to learn scientific inquiry and basic methods to study marine mammals. Students evaluations consistently positive and above departmental mean.

CURE course students share they research projects here: ​http://blog.uvm.edu/lmaycoll/

Workshops 

RIEMMCCA: Network of Marine Mammal Specialists of Central America and the Caribbean
Subject: Review of the State of Knowledge of the Marine Mammals of Central America and the Caribbean. San Francisco, December 2015. Biennial of the Biology of Marine Mammals.

Unmanned Aerial Systems: Powerful and Cost-Effective Tools for Marine Science and ConservationSubject: The intent of this workshop is to review the state-of-the-art for regulations, hardware, software, and data management in studies of marine species using various types of remotely-controlled or autonomous aerial platforms.San Francisco, December 2015. Biennial of the Biology of Marine Mammals.

Drones: a promising non-invasive method to study dolphin behavior and the impact of whale watching activities SOLAMAC, Colombia Cartagena November 29, 2014