Norma Vazquez
Norma is originally from the Sacramento area and currently a fourth year at CSU Monterey Bay pursuing a B.S. degree in Environmental Science, Policy & Technology and a minor in Math. She plans to graduate in the Spring of 2010 and is hoping to attend graduate school. Norma is interested in the foraging behavior of marine mammals. Norma joined the otter project in February of 2009. Prior to joining the otter trackers, Norma interned at Moss Landing Marine Lab's "Vertebrate Ecology Lab" and OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center. Norma's other interests include diving, running and reading.
Nicole LaRoche
Nicole is currently an undergraduate student at UCSC majoring in Marine Biology. Her interests are marine mammals, specifically pinnipeds and sea otters. Nicole attended art school for photography before realizing that working with marine mammals was her true passion. Before joining the Tinker lab, Nicole volunteered for five years at the Marine Mammal Center taking care of sick and injured seals and sea lions.
Justine Tagging an ottter during the 2008 captures
Justine Grajski
Justine is a full-time field researcher on the Big Sur sea otter study based out of the Big Creek Reserve. Justine graduated from the University of California , Santa Cruz , in December 2008 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. Marine policy and conservation was her main focus. As an undergraduate she worked with Save Our Shores and the California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center. Both of these places allowed Justine to understand the range of issues that southern sea otters face. Now Justine feels fortunate to have become a part of the sea otter study. Justine's goal is to continue to be involved in sea otter research and ocean conservation work. Besides being in Big Sur, Justine enjoys surfing and doing anything outside, plus reading, cooking, photography, going to see music, and animals.