In 2009, I earned a Diploma with distinctions, majoring in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation. In 2013, I earned my PhD in Ecology at St. Petersburg State University in Russia. Before coming to the Polar Science Center, I was a part of the Baltic Fund for Nature in Russia, and coordinated projects involving seal aerial surveys, tagging, and studies of seal-fisheries conflict and seal population threats in the Baltic Sea and Lake Ladoga.
I am a marine mammal biologist specializing in pagophilic seal species research and conservation with a main focus on land-locked and semi-land-locked populations. Currently I serve as a post-doctoral researcher supported by the University of Washington Future of Ice Initiative and NOAA’s Marine Mammal Lab.
As a post-doctoral researcher, my goal is to assess the resilience of ice-associated seals to a warming climate and loss of ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. My current project actively engages my various science and research interests of mathematics, programming, and practical conservation. I look forward to further exploring the broad field of marine conservation biology, hopefully making a significant contribution through research and newly developed approaches.
I am always open to new collaborations and initiatives!