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# Douglas Nowacek

Randolph K. Repass and Sally-Christine Rodgers University Distinguished Professor of Conservation Technology in Environment and Engineering
Marine Science and Conservation
doug.nowacek@duke.edu
Duke Univ Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516
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## Overview

Sound propagates very efficiently through sea water, and marine mammals take advantage of this medium to communicate and explore their environment. My research is focused on the link between acoustic and motor behavior in marine mammals, primarily cetaceans and manatees, specifically, how they use sound in ecological processes. The cetaceans, or whales and dolphins, are divided into two main groups, the toothed whales (odontocetes) and the baleen whales (mysticetes). One of my specific areas of research is the use of echolocation and foraging behavior in one of the odontocetes, the bottlenose dolphin. Another focus of my current research is the effect(s) of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals.

## Current Appointments & Affiliations

Randolph K. Repass and Sally-Christine Rodgers University Distinguished Professor of Conservation Technology in Environment and Engineering · 2018 - Present Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor · 2018 - Present Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering · 2018 - Present Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering

## Education, Training & Certifications

Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1999 Ph.D.
Ohio Wesleyan University · 1991 B.A.