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- Australia Research
- Calving Rates and Intervals of East Australian Female Humpback Whales
- Connectivity and Interchange Between Humpback Whale Aggregation Areas along East Australia
- Dynamics of extralimital feedingby humpback whales off Eden, NSW
- East Australia Humpback Whales
- Pacific Whale Foundation’s Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale Catalogue
- Rate of Interchange Between East Australia and West Australia Humpback Whales
- Ecuador Research
- Interaction of Small Cetaceans with Artisanal Fisheries in Machalilla National Park
- Population, Distribution and Abundance of Humpback Whales and other Cetaceans in Machalilla National Park
- Photo-identification of dolphins in the Cojimies River Estuary
- Migratory Interchange of Humpback Whales between Peru and Ecuador
- Hawaii Research
- Distribution of Odontocetes in Maui County Waters
- Hawaiian Humpback Whale Catalogue
- Odontocetes of Maui County
- Researcher on Board Humpback Whale Program
- Sea Turtle Foraging and Resting Areas off Maui
- Social Structure of False Killer Whales in Maui County Waters
- Spinner dolphins in Maui County waters
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Meet Our Staff
MEET OUR STAFF
Pacific Whale Foundation's marine education team offer over 30 years of combined education experience.
Merrill Kaufman, Education Manager
Originally from Long Island, NY, Merrill majored in biology at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Merrill joined Pacific Whale Foundation as a research intern in Australia and then moved to Hawaii where she earned a BSc. in Elementary Education from Chaminade University in Honolulu followed by AMA Montessori Early Childhood teaching credential. She has lived on Maui since 1989.
Merrill has four daughters and enjoys being in the mountains or on the ocean and figuring how to make stuff instead of buying it.
"I love working with young children, especially in outdoor settings. Just observing and questioning kids brings out their innate curiosity and we are off and running!"
Karen Molina, Youth Education Manager
Karen Molina has been an educator for over 12 years and has taught kindergarten through 8th grade. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Art and has a Multiple Subject Credential as well as a Montessori Teaching Certificate. She was a teacher trainer for two years with the Peace Corps in Cape Verde, West Africa and has continued to do extensive work with education in Cape Verde. Karen’s passion is to facilitate critical thinking skills that open and inspire the thrill of learning. Karen has a great respect for each individual child and the perspectives that they share. She loves all adventure: travel, snorkeling, diving, running, rock climbing, friendship and capturing the beauty of life through art.
“I love the quote by Henry David Thoreau that states: ‘What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.’ What we learn lives within us and becomes a part of us forever.”
Erica Gorman, Youth Programs Development Manager
Erica moved to Maui from Texas 12 years ago. Erica earned a degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University in Galveston and a masters in business administration from University of Phoenix. In addition, Erica is a certified divemaster and rescue diver. Erica joined Pacific Whale Foundation after working 9 years in animal husbandry.
Erica has one daughter who keeps her very busy. In her free time, Erica enjoys running and is in training for running the marathon.
"I love learning and embrace the opportunity to inspire youth to learn more while having fun.The best feeling is when you see a child beam with pride when he has accomplished something grand in his mind."
