Our Team

Cindy Elliser, PhD, Research Director/Founder

Dr. Cindy R. Elliser received her B.S. (2000) and M.S. (2003) in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and received her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from FAU in 2010. For 10 years she worked with Dr. Herzing and the Wild Dolphin Project studying Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins in the Bahamas. In 2014 Dr. Elliser moved to the Pacific Northwest and founded Pacific Mammal Research to study marine mammals in the Salish Sea, particularly harbor porpoises and harbor seals. She is the author of numerous papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented at international scientific conferences. Dr. Elliser also teaches biology and related courses as an adjunct professor at Skagit Valley College.

Katrina MacIver, MRes, Assistant Research Director

Following completion of her Bachelors of Science degree (with Honors) in Ecology & Conservation, Katrina MacIver went on to achieve a Masters of Research in Marine Mammal Research, both at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. She has extensive experience in field research and photo-identification techniques in the United States and abroad including the South Western Marine Research Program in Western Australia. Katrina moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2014 and joined Dr. Elliser in creating Pacific Mammal Research to study marine mammals of the Salish Sea. She has since been a co-author on several scientific papers and presented at international scientific conferences.

Ciera Edison, BSc, Research Assistant

Ciera received her Bachelors of Science degree from Oregon State University where she majored in Fisheries and Wildlife with a specialization in marine mammal conservation and ecology. After graduation, she became a Research Intern with PacMam and has continued to stay involved with the organization until she was recently able to return as Research Assistant. Ciera’s lifelong passion for marine mammals continues to drive her to research how humans impact the oceans and how she can better educate the public on this issue.

Lauren Doellinger, Research Assistant

Lauren completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Washington State University, graduating with magna cum laude honors. While there, she worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in Dr. Omar Cornejo’s Population Genomics Lab and helped with research on two mosquito malaria vectors. She has been involved with PacMam since October 2021, working as a Research Intern before becoming a Research Assistant. Lauren’s favorite marine mammals are sea otters and harbor seals.

Board of Directors

Michelle Green, PhD, President
Evan Barnett, Vice-President
Cindy Elliser, PhD, Treasurer
Katrina MacIver, MRes, Secretary
Kristine Stultz, Director
Monica Bohnert, Director
Bethany Augliere, Director

Scientific Advisory Board

Denise L. Herzing, PhD
Julie Oswald, PhD

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