Executives

Dr. Denise Herzing, Research Director/Founder:  Dr. Herzing received her B.S. in Marine Zoology from Oregon State University in 1979; her M.A. in Behavioral Biology from San Francisco State University in 1988; and her Ph.D. in Behavioral Biology and Environmental Studies from the Union Institute Graduate School in 1993. She began her unprecedented, long-term study of Atlantic spotted dolphins in 1985, and is the founder of The Wild Dolphin Project.  Dr. Herzing is the author of numerous articles and papers and is currently an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Biological and Psychological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University.  Most recently Dr. Herzing has been recognized by the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation as a 2008 Fellow.  Dr. Herzing is also a 2004 Fellow of the Explorers Club.

Dr. Cindy R. Elliser, Research Associate: Dr. Cindy R. Elliser, received her B.S. in 2000 and her M.S. in 2003 in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University (FAU).  She received her Ph.D. in integrative biology from FAU in 2010.  Since 2002, Elliser has studied wild dolphins as the Research Assistant for The Wild Dolphin Project.  She is also an adjunct faculty member at Indian River State College (IRSC).  Dr. Ellisers’ main research interests are social structure, behavior, intra and interspecies interactions and effects of environmental changes on marine mammals.  She speaks to organizations and clubs as well as students from the elementary to high school level.  Elliser has published her work in scientific journals such as Marine Mammal Science and has presented at international scientific conferences including: the Society for Marine Mammalogy, the European Cetacean Society and the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium.

Dr. Michelle Green, Research Associate:  Dr. Michelle Green graduated with a Ph.D. in integrative biology from Florida Atlantic University in May of 2008.  She has been spent the past six field seasons with WDP as both a graduate student and research assistant.   Dr. Green’s specialty is in genetics, researching genetic population structure and assigning paternity for our spotted dolphins.

Dr. Fabienne Delfour, Research Associate:  Dr. Delfour has worked with the Wild Dolphin Project since 1998 and is a co-author and returning colleague with Dr. Herzing. Her speciality as a cognitive psychologist and animal behaviorist compliments our work at sea. 

Boat Crew and Office Staff 

Captain Peter Roberts:  A 10-year veteran with the Wild Dolphin Project, Peter holds a masters captain’s license and has spent most of his life at sea.

Marcia Spanick – Cook:  Back for a third year our cook/chef Marcia is a surfer, cook, and humanitarian. In her off season, Marcia works on local boats and runs a boat yard. 

Kelly Hall, Administrative Assistant:  Kelly will be the friendly voice on the phone when you call the office.  She will gladly assist you with any information regarding the Wild Dolphin Project (i.e. trips, talks, general information, etc.).

Graduate Students

Every year at least one graduate student serves as our Research Assistant onboard trips. They are typically a Masters or PhD student in Biology with Dr. Herzing. 

Ph.D. Candidates:
Courtney Bender

Masters Students, FAU:
Tiffany Adams
Christopher Malinowski
Jessica Cusick
Bethany Augliere
Meghan Weinpress

Board of Directors

Ruth Petzold, President 
Don Mader, Vice President 
Denise Herzing, Ph.D.,  Treasurer 
Ivi Kimmel, Director
Farley Rentschler, Secretary
Chris Traughber, M.D., Chair

Community Advisory Board

Marilyn Bauer
Helve Massakas
Barbara Birdsey 
Tanya Burnett
Stacey Dowdle
Wolcott Henry
Kurt Jambretz
Susan Lovejoy
Anne Marie Lynch
Bill O’Donnell 
Brian Said 
Zita Wright 

Scientific Advisory Board

Sir David Attenborough 
Randall Brelsford, Ph.D. 
Fabienne Delfour, Ph.D. 
Christine Johnson, Ph.D.
Stan Kuczaj, Ph.D. 
Marc Lammers, Ph.D.
Adam Pack, Ph.D. 
Kenneth R. Pelletier, Ph.D., M.D. (hc)
Thomas I. White, Ph.D.

Emeritus Board

Anne Earhart, Ph.D. (hc) 
Diane Ross
Linda Castell, DVM