Dr. Cindy Elliser is an adjunct biology/chemistry instructor at SVC’s South Whidbey
Center. Dr. Elliser received her B.S. (2000) and M.S. (2003) in Biological Sciences,
and Ph.D. (2010) in Integrative Biology all from Florida Atlantic University in 2010. For
10 years, she worked with Dr. Denise 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.
Harbor Porpoises are one of the most abundant animals in the Salish Sea, yet little
is known about them. Pacific Mammal Research is dedicated to understanding more about
this poorly understood population, using techniques such as photo-ID surveys and passive
acoustic technology. Whale Trail founder Donna Sandstrom will give an update on Governor
Jay Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force and how you can become involved in protecting
the southern resident orcas.
SVC students will have an opportunity to learn from Dr. Elliser during Fall Quarter
when she teaches Introduction to Environmental Science #9350 at the South Whidbey
Center. Classes begin September 25.