• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program

Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program

Conserving Texas Dolphins

  • About Us
  • Research
  • Education & Outreach
  • Dolphins
  • Support Us
  • News
    • Quarterly Newsletters
    • Dolphins in the News
  • Contact

About Us

The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program (GDRP) aims to better understand the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops trucatus) that live in the Galveston Bay estuary, off the Gulf Coast of Texas. Primarily through boat-based surveying, we study the ecology, behavior, and health of this population. We also raise public awareness about Galveston Bay dolphins through various outreach and education initiatives.

our research
education & outreach

Our Team

The GDRP was established in 2014 as a partnership between the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (EIH-UHCL).

Principal Investigators

Vanessa Mintzer, Ph.D.

Research Scientist, Galveston Bay Foundation

Vanessa is a Research Scientist with the Galveston Bay Foundation, founder of Wildlife Research Partnerships, and a Courtesy Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on understanding and evaluating the interactions between humans and wildlife, with a specialization in small cetaceans. She holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Florida (SNRE-UF), a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University, and B.S. in Environmental Science from SNRE-UF.

Kristi Fazioli, M.S.

Research Associate, Environmental Institute of Houston

Kristi is a Research Associate with the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Her research experience focuses on studying population biology, behavior and ecology, specializing in marine mammals. She has worked extensively with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program and on a variety of other projects in places ranging from Brownsville, Texas, to Kwajalein Atoll. She holds a M.S. in marine science from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a B.S. in marine biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Research Staff

Sherah McDaniel, M.S.

Research Associate – Environmental Institute of Houston

Sherah is a Research Associate with the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). Her research interests include foraging behavior of dolphins, population dynamics, and overall ecosystem health. She earned her M.S. in Environmental Science with a focus in Biology from UHCL and her B.S. in Environmental Science and Biology at West Texas A&M University. 

Scientific and Program Advisors

George Guillen, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Environmental Institute of Houston

Jenny Oakley, Ph.D.

Associate Director – Research, Environmental Institute of Houston

Bob Stokes

President, Galveston Bay Foundation

Randall Wells, Ph.D.

Program Director, Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

Program Support

Nikki Annan

Development Coordinator, Galveston Bay Foundation

Emily Ford

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Galveston Bay Foundation

Genevieve Genest

Donor Relations Manager, Galveston Bay Foundation

Anthony Oppermann

Communications and Marketing Manager, Galveston Bay Foundation

Yolanda Hernandez

Administrative Assistant, Galveston Bay Foundation

Patti Koch

Senior Business Assistant, Environmental Institute of Houston

Nicole Scanlin

Director of Development, Galveston Bay Foundation

Cindy Wilems

Director of Education, Galveston Bay Foundation

*now hiring*

Equipment and Maintenance Technician, Environmental Institute of Houston

Students and Research Assistants

Current

Kristina Simons

Research Assistant, Galveston Bay Foundation

Previous

Alyssa Quackenbush

Prior Research Assistant, Galveston Bay Foundation (Now: University of St. Andrews, MSc Marine Mammal Science)

Cecilia Thompson

Prior Intern/Research Assistant, Environmental Institute of Houston (Now: Sarasota Dolphin Research Program)

Aaron Bouwkamp

Prior Intern/Project Research Assistant, Environmental Institute of Houston/Galveston Bay Foundation

Shelby Yahn

Prior Intern/Research Assistant, Environmental Institute of Houston

Interns and Volunteers

Student interns and citizen science community volunteers are an integral part of our team. These hard working team members spend long days in the field and long hours in front of a computer sorting photos and matching fins. We post new volunteer and internship opportunities here and in our newsletter.

dolphin photo-id research

Scientific Collaborators

The GDRP believes that science is best accomplished by working together toward a common goal and is proud to collaborate with organizations and agencies committed to conserving dolphins and their habitats.


Partners and Sponsors

Our team cannot work without the many partners, sponsors and individuals that support our program.

our supporters

Explore more

Stay Connected

Get our quarterly newsletter delivered to your inbox

Do You Have Questions?

We have answers

Frequently asked questions
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Research
  • Education & Outreach
    • “The Pod” Teacher Resource
  • Galveston Bay Dolphins
  • Support Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Quarterly Newsletter
  • Dolphins in the News
  • Contact Us
    • Report a dolphin sighting
    • Volunteer interest form

Footer

Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program

Activities are conducted under a NMFS Scientific Research Permit

Copyright © 2023 GDRP· All photographs and video footage on this website are the copyright of GDRP unless otherwise stated and may not be used or reproduced without written consent. -- Log in