Highlighting College Kudos: Vanessa ZoBell at Scripps Institution
In the depths of the ocean, where sound travels unimpeded, a young researcher named Vanessa ZoBell is making waves. As a second-year PhD student at Scripps, UC San Diego, Vanessa's focus lies in the fascinating world of **marine mammal bioacoustics**.
Vanessa's journey began with a fascination for whales and their role in ocean fertilization. This led her to the Scripps Whale Acoustics Lab, a place where she found not only a nurturing academic environment but also a team of like-minded researchers.
At the heart of her work is the investigation of marine life through sound. Vanessa is part of the Marine Bioacoustics Research Collaborative, a group that deploys hydrophones to record and analyze the acoustic signals of marine mammals. Her research primarily involves **studying whales and other marine mammals through their sounds** and understanding their ecological interactions.
One of her key projects involves **simulating the impacts of various conservation strategies** related to marine mammals. This research helps inform strategies to protect these species, particularly in the context of unusual events like whale strandings.
Vanessa's days at Scripps are a blend of academic rigour and adventure. She spends her time deploying High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) into the ocean, analysing acoustic data, coding in MatLab, attending meetings, and even finding time for surfing, snorkelling, and exercise on the beach.
After defending her PhD, Vanessa plans to continue conducting research at an academic institution in a postdoctoral position. She aspires to provide policy-makers with tools to protect baleen whales from noise pollution.
Outside of her research, Vanessa is a strong advocate for STEM education for young girls. She plans to continue volunteering for nonprofit organisations that offer outreach and education opportunities in this field.
Vanessa's mother has been a significant role model in her life, inspiring her to pursue her dreams and maintain a strong work-life balance, despite the challenges that come with graduate school.
You can follow Vanessa's journey on Instagram @vanessa__zobell. The Scripps Whale Acoustics Lab, under Vanessa's watchful ear, deploys HARPs in various locations, from the Arctic and Antarctica to Hawai'i and California, contributing significantly to our understanding of marine mammal behaviour, population health, and responses to environmental challenges.
- Vanessa ZoBell's interest in lifestyle activities such as surfing and snorkelling, in addition to her focus on fitness and exercise, demonstrates her commitment to health-and-wellness.
- In her role as a researcher in environmental-science, particularly marine mammal bioacoustics, Vanessa uses technology, such as hydrophones and High-frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs), to gather data and make informed decisions about conservation strategies in education-and-self-development.
- Apart from her groundbreaking research in fitness-and-exercise, Vanessa also promotes education-and-self-development by advocating for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for young girls through her work with nonprofit organizations.
