The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program (GDRP) aims to better understand the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops trucantus) 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 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.
Scientific and Program Advisors
Executive Director, Environmental Institute of Houston
Associate Director – Research, Environmental Institute of Houston
President, Galveston Bay Foundation
Program Director, Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
Program Support
Nikki Annan
Development Coordinator, Galveston Bay Foundation
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Galveston Bay Foundation
Communications and Marketing Manager
Administrative Assistant, Galveston Bay Foundation
Patti Koch
Senior Business Assistant, Environmental Institute of Houston
Director of Development, Galveston Bay Foundation
Director of Education, Galveston Bay Foundation
*now hiring*
Equipment and Maintenance Technician, Environmental Institute of Houston
Students and Research Assistants
Alyssa Quackenbush
Research Assistant, Galveston Bay Foundation
Prior Graduate Student, Environmental Science and Biology, University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Project: Foraging Ecology of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Galveston Bay, Texas
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.
Partners and Sponsors
Our team cannot work without the many partners, sponsors and individuals that support our program.
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.
