P.O. Box 12860, Marina del Rey, California 90295 - U.S.A.

phone: 310-822-5205, e-mail: mbearzi@earthlink.net

OBJECTIVE

To continue investigation in the fields of Marine Mammal Ecology and Marine Conservation & Management. Particular interests include: 1) study of dolphin social ecology; 2) study of mixed species aggregations; 3) strategic planning for participatory and community-based marine resource management; and 4) building awareness and capacity for conservation among resource managers and local stakeholders through education and training.

EDUCATION

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW (2003 – 2004)
Marine Ecology & Outreach Education
University of California, Los Angeles, California

The primary objective of this postdoctoral appointment was to create and develop innovative programs on "Polar Ecosystems".

Ph.D., BIOLOGY (1998 – 2003)
University of California, Los Angeles, California

Dissertation research focused on the ecology of marine mammals in Santa Monica Bay, California. This study described 1) occurrence, seasonality, spatial distribution, sympatry, and habitat partitioning of different cetacean species in relation to the environmental features of the bay; 2) social ecology of the most regularly observed species, 3) changes in the distribution, seasonality, relative abundance and species composition of marine mammals before, during, and after the strong 1997-1998 El Niño event and following La Niña, and 4) aggregations between dolphins and sea lions and their respective or combined foraging behavior.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NATURAL SCIENCE (1985 – 1989)
University of Padova, Padova, Italy

Study focused on reptile ecology. Thesis title: Observations on home range and homing of Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta, 1857 (Reptilia, Lacertidae) in the Tombolo Reserve (Pisa, Italy).

EXPERIENCE IN BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

OCEAN CONSERVATION SOCIETY (WINTER 1998 – PRESENT)
Co-Founder and President, Los Angeles, California

LOS ANGELES DOLPHIN PROJECT (JUNE 1996 – PRESENT)
Principal Investigator, Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (2002 – PRESENT)
Visiting Student, Los Angeles, California

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (JUNE 2000)
Credited student, Redlands, California

TETHYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (1992 – 1999)
Director and Principal Investigator of the Yucatan Project, Yucatan, Mexico

Study on the ecology of sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and the El Palmar State Reserve (Yucatan, Mexico). This project helped to build local awareness and capacity for conservation through education and outreach, and developed guidelines for the protection of sea turtles in the area. Responsible for training research assistants, conducting field lectures and field coordination. Also responsible for authoring technical reports, work plans and funding proposals.

MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAM (CHELON) (1992 – 1998)
Vice-President, Rome, Italy

TETHYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (1990 – 1998)
Principal Investigator, Milan, Italy

Sea turtle surveys in Greece and Italy; cetacean research in the Venezuelan, Dominican, and Martinique waters of the Caribbean Sea; cetacean research in the Adriatic Sea. Also responsible for training volunteers, conducting field lectures and field coordination.

UNIVERSITY OF PADOVA (1989 – 1990)
Researcher, Environmental Analysis Program, Padova, Italy

UNIVERSITY OF PARMA (1986 – 1991)
Research Assistant, Parma, Italy

Ecological investigations on different species of reptiles in Tuscany (Italy) and study on migratory pigeons in Sardinia (Italy) under the supervision of Dr. E. Baldaccini and M. Mongini.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (WINTER 2007)
Lecturer
UCLA Extension (Marine Mammals in Our Backyard), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (SPRING 2006)
Lecturer
UCLA Extension (Oceans: New Frontiers), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (WINTER 2003 – 2004)
Lecturer
UCLA Extension (Dolphins, Whales, and Seals: The Fascinating World of Marine Mammals), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (WINTER 2003 – 2004)
Scientific Supervisor
OBEE 199I (Independent Projects), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (FALL 2002 – 2003)
Lecturer
OBEE C109 (Introduction to Marine Biology), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (SPRING 2002 – 2003)
Scientific Supervisor
OBEE 195 (Independent Projects), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (WINTER 2002 – 2003)
Lecturer
OBEE 98T (Marine Mammals), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (SPRING 2001– 2002)
Scientific Supervisor
OBEE 199I (Independent Projects), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (SPRING 2000 – 2001)
Teaching Assistant
OBEE 25 (Oceans), Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (SPRING 1999 – 2000)
Teaching Assistant
Life Science I, Los Angeles, California

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (FALL 1999 – 2000)
Teaching Assistant
OBEE 123, 102, 148, 163 (Marine Biology Quarter), Oahu, Hawaii, Channel Islands, California

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY (WINTER 2000 – PRESENT)
Collaborator, Los Angeles, California
Conducted educational and research trips in Santa Monica Bay for members of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, CA.

CULVER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT (FALL 2000 – PRESENT)
Director Mentorship Program, Los Angeles, California
Marine mammal Internships conducted for Culver City Middle School students. The primary goals of the mentorship program are: 1) give interns a participatory exposure to marine biology field research, 2) instill a strong foundation for conservation consciousness, 3) provide a valid and memorable experience in contact with nature, and 4) cultivate interest in seeking a career in an environmental field.

SANTA MONICA ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM (SPRING 2002)
Director Mentorship Program, Los Angeles, California
Marine mammal Internships conducted for Santa Monica High School students.

EUROPE CONSERVATION (1992 – 1999)
Co-Editor and Project Director, Milan, Italy
Responsible for researching, writing, and editing information for monthly newsletter E.Co.Magazine and educational booklets on sea turtles and dolphins.
Yucatan Research Project Director (project conducted in collaboration with Tethys Research Institute).

OCEAN CONSERVATION SOCIETY – OUTREACH PROGRAMS (WINTER 1999 – 2002)
Co-organizer, Los Angeles, California
On-the-water educational trips for over 2500 High school and Middle school students and trainer for Middle school teachers. Responsible for science program curriculum development as well as preparing and conducting lectures, labs, and field trips.

Co-organizer (1999 – 2001)
Large and small-scale educational on-the-water kayak clean-ups for Middle and High School students and the public (over 2300 participants during three year period).

Editor (1998 – 2000)
Writer and editor for 'Sea-Watch', OCS non-profit educational newsletter.

RAI TELEVISION NETWORK (JANUARY – JULY 1999)
Environmental Television News Correspondent, Rome, Italy, Los Angeles, California
Coverages included: Conservation of California condors, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Conservation of sea otters, Dolphins of Santa Monica Bay.

CICLOTURISMO & MOUNTAIN BIKE (1992 – 1993)
Contributing Editor, Rome, Italy
Worked as writer and photojournalist throughout Europe, United States and Mexico.

FREELANCE PHOTOJOURNALIST (1985 – PRESENT)
Milan and Rome, Italy, Los Angeles, California
Over 350 articles written for various publications on a wide spectrum of topics including: ecology, nature, marine biology, and eco-tourism. Articles have been published in Italian and European magazines.

CIVIC MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (1990 – 1991)
Writer, Pordenone, Italy
Interactive multimedia applications for High School science education.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Analytical Skills:

• Word processing & database design and management. Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, QuarkXPress, Pagemaker, Clarisworks, Filemaker Pro, Maptech, GoLive, Surfer, Arcview, Finscan, Statview, and Adobe Photoshop. Windows XP, DOS, Macintosh OS.
• Scientific writing and editing.
• Grant writing.

Languages:

• Italian.
• English.
• Spanish.
• German (scholastic).

Field Research Skills:

• Scuba Diver CMAS Certified
• Scientific research methods (sea- and land-based surveys for sea turtles and cetaceans, photo-identification, behavioral sampling, laboratory techniques for marine mammals, etc)
• Qualified sail and power boater with over 1000 hours logged at sea.
• Still digital camera, video and underwater video camera use and maintenance.
• Navigational and oceanographic instruments use and maintenance.
• Experienced in the supervision and coordination of project personnel including field assistants and interns. Trained hundreds of volunteers from several countries involved in different research projects around the world.

Conservation Planning and Management:

• Environmental impact assessment.
• Environmental education, training, and outreach.

Other Skills:

• Certified American Red Cross, Community First Aid and Safety.
• Conveying scientific information to both general and professional audiences.
• Wildlife photographer specialized in marine fauna. Photographs have been published by several European magazines and newspapers and shown in two Los Angeles galleries.
• Produced educational pamphlets and brochures on marine animals.

RELEVANT MEMBERSHIPS

• Ordine dei Giornalisti del Veneto (Italy)
• Tethys Research Institute
• Society of Marine Mammology
• American Cetacean Society
• European Cetacean Society
• Honorary Life Member UCLA Alumni Association
• Outstanding Student Honor Society

FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS & AWARDS

2008
ESRI grant for OCS

2006-2007
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (to OCS, $ 224.000,00)

2003-2004
UCLA Professional Development Award ($ 600,00)

2002-2003
Dr. Thomas James Memorial Fund Award ($ 500,00)

2002-2003
Alumni Association Award, Outstanding Graduate Student and Chancellor's Service Award ($ 500.00, Life Membership - UCLA Alumni Association)
Collegium of University Teaching Fellows ($ 5,340.00)

2002
OBEE Department Research Grant Support ($ 332.00)

2001-2002
Charles E. and Sue K. Young Graduate Student Award ($ 5,000.00)
Coastal Environmental Quality Initiative Fellowship ($ 50,000.00)

2001
OBEE Department Research Grant Support ($ 1,000.00)
ASMBYC's David Poe Memorial Service Award to Ocean Conservation Society (OCS)
Fishbaug Scholarship ($2,000.00) and Adopt-a-Scholar ($500.00), The Affiliates UCLA

2000-2001
Research Mentorship Fellowship, University of California, L.A. ($ 19,874.00)

2000
ESRI grant to OCS (GIS courses, software, etc)
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, educational grant for OCS ($ 14,000.00)

1999
Padi Award to OCS ($ 500.00)
Award of Fellowship Support for the 1999-2000 academic year, UCLA, L.A. ($ 9,400.00)
Travel Grant, XIII Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, Maui, Hawaii ($ 480.00)

1998
American Cetacean Society – L.A. Chapter grant ($ 1,000.00)

INVITED PARTICIPATIONS IN SEMINARS, PRESENTATIONS & MEETINGS

2008
Invited speaker, American Cetacean Society, L.A. Chapter, Los Angeles, CA.

Invited speaker, Museum of Natural History of Los Angeles, CA.

2006
Invited speaker, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, Los Angeles, CA.

2005
Invited speaker, Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA.

Invited speaker, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, Los Angeles, CA.

Invited speaker, American Cetacean Society, L.A. Chapter, Los Angeles, CA

2004
Invited speaker, Behavioral Ecology Monthly Meeting, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

2003
Invited lecturer, COSEE WEST (UCLA & USC Lecture Series), Los Angeles, CA.

2002
Invited lecturer, OBEE 98T, UCLA, CA.

2001
Educational presentations (Los Angeles County, CA): Fremont School (5 classes); Wright Math Science Magnet School (8 classes); Newroads School (2 classes); Venice High School (4 presentations); Lincoln Middle School (4 presentations); Crossroad High School (1 presentation); Audubon Middle School (5 presentations); Eco-Station (4 presentations); City of Santa Monica (1 presentation).
Invited speaker, Museum of Natural History of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

2000
Invited speaker, U.S. Coastguard Auxiliary, Santa Monica Yacht Club, Marina del Rey, CA.
Invited speaker, Women's Sailing Association, Santa Monica Yacht Club, Marina del Rey, CA.
Invited speaker, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project, Technical Advisory Committee Meeting, Los Angeles, CA.
Invited speaker, U.S. Coastguard Auxiliary, Santa Monica Yacht Club, Marina del Rey, CA.
Invited lecturer, OBEE Ocean 25, UCLA, CA.
Invited lecturer, University of Southern California, Marine Biology Seminar, Los Angeles, CA.
Educational presentations (Los Angeles County, CA): Immaculate Heart High School (2 classes); Crossroad School, Marine Aquatic Center (2 classes); Culver City Middle School (4 classes); Venice High School (1 class); Culver City Middle School (4 classes).

1999
Invited speaker, American Cetacean Society-L.A. Chapter Monthly Meeting, San Pedro, CA.
Invited speaker, Baykeeper Monthly Meeting, Marina del Rey, CA.
Educational presentation: Crossroad School, Marine Aquatic Center, Marina del Rey, CA.

1997
Invited speaker, OTS-Roundhouse Aquarium Annual Meeting, Manhattan Beach, CA.
Invited speaker, Baykeeper Monthly Meeting, Marina del Rey, CA.

1996
Invited speaker, Tethys Research Institute Annual Meeting, Milan, Italy.

PUBLICATIONS

Bearzi, M., S. Rapoport, J. Chau, and C. Saylan. In press. Skin lesions and physical deformities of coastal and offshore common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Santa Monica Bay and adjacent areas, California. Ambio.

Bearzi, M. and C. Saylan. In Press. A hand-held, PDA based system for seabird data collection during cetacean surveys. The Journal of Marine Animals and Their Ecology.

Bearzi, M., C. Saylan, and C. Barroso. 2008. Pinniped ecology in Santa Monica Bay, California. Acta Zoologica Sinica 54(1): 1-11.

Bearzi, M. and C. Stanford. 2008. Beautiful Minds: Great Apes, Dolphins and the Roots of Human Intelligence. Harvard University Press. 300 pp.

Bearzi, M. and C. Stanford. 2007. Dolphins and African apes: comparisons of sympatric socio-ecology. Contributions of Zoology 76(4): 235-254.

Navarro, M.O. and M. Bearzi. 2007. Affect of Marine Mammals on Sport Fishery in the Santa Monica Bay, California. Southern California Academy of Science Bulletin 106 (3): 215-217.

Bearzi, M. 2006. California sea lions use dolphins to locate food. Journal of Mammalogy 87(3): 606-617.

Bearzi, M. 2005. Habitat partitioning by three species of dolphins in Santa Monica Bay, CA. Southern California Academy of Science Bulletin 104(3):113-124.

Bearzi, M. 2005. Dolphin sympatric ecology. Marine Biology Research 1: 165-175.

Bearzi, M. 2005. Aspects of the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Santa Monica Bay, California. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 7(1):75-83.

Bearzi, M. 1996. Sea turtles in the El Palmar Reserve, Yucatan: A preliminary study. Marine Turtle Newsletter, 75: 18-20.

Politi, E., M. Bearzi, G. Notarbartolo di Sciara, E. Cussino and G. Gnone. 1992. Distribution and frequency of cetaceans in the waters adjacent to the Greek Ionian Islands. European Research on Cetaceans, 6:75-78.

REPORTS, PRESENTATIONS & OTHERS

Bearzi, M. 2005. Do sea lions follow dolphins to enhance their foraging success? Abstract, XVI Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, December 12-16, San Diego, California.

Bearzi, M. 2003. Behavioral Ecology of the Marine Mammals of Santa Monica Bay, California. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles. 239 pp.

Bearzi, M. 2001. Observations on two species of common dolphins in the Santa Monica Bay, CA. Abstract, 15th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, May 6-10, Rome, Italy.

Bearzi, M. 2001. Observations on two species of common dolphins in the Santa Monica Bay, CA. Abstract, 2001 Biology Research Symposium, UCLA Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, May 14, Los Angeles, CA.

Bearzi, M. 2001. Spatial habitat partitioning between three dolphin species in Santa Monica Bay, CA. Abstract, XIV Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, November 28-December 4, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Bearzi, M. 2000. First contribution to the knowledge of marine mammals in the Santa Monica Bay, California. Biology Research Symposium, Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, University of California, May 9, 2000, Los Angeles, CA.

Bearzi, M. and B. Steinmetz. 2000. Preliminary observations on marine mammals in the Santa Monica Bay, California. Southern California Academy of Science, 2000 Annual Meeting, May 19-20, 2000, Los Angeles, CA.

Bearzi, M. 1999. The Los Angeles Dolphin Project. Preliminary Report, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project. 2 p.

Bearzi, M. 1999. Data on marine mammals collected during inshore surveys in the Santa Monica Bay, California. Preliminary Report, Chambers & Ass. 8 p.

Bearzi, M. 1999. Preliminary observations on marine mammals in the Santa Monica Basin, California. Abstract XIII Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, November 27-December 3, Maui, Hawaii.

Bearzi, M. 1996. Sea turtles survey to evaluate the human impact in the influence area of salt extraction industry (Rio Lagartos, Yucatan, Mexico). Final Report, Industria Salinera de Yucatan, Mexico. 5 p.

Bearzi, M. 1996. The El Palmar Project in the Yucatan Peninsula. Universitad Campechana, IX Taller Regional sobre Programas de Conservacion de Tortugas Marinas en la Peninsula de Yucatan, 7-10 February 1996, Campeche, Mexico.

Bearzi, M. 1996. Bottlenose dolphins in El Palmar and Rio Lagartos Reserves (Yucatan, Mexico): a preliminary study. American Cetacean Society Conference, 8-11 November 1996, San Pedro, CA.

Bearzi, M. 1992-93. The Yucatan sea turtle project. Tethys Research Institute Technical Report TRI 94-01: 8.

Bearzi, M. 1991. Il programma vertebrati. Proceedings 12th National Conference of the Scientific Museum Italian Society. Pordenone, Italy, 31 May-2 June, 1991.

Bearzi, M. 1989. Osservazioni sull'estensione dell'home range e sulle capacità di homing in Podarcis sicula campestris De Betta, 1857 (Reptilia, Lacertidae) all'interno dell'area di Tombolo (Pisa). Tesi di laurea in Scienze Naturali. Università degli Studi di Padova. 145 pp.

Foà, A., M. Bearzi and N.E. Baldaccini. 1989. Homing and home range in Podarcis sicula (Reptilia, Lacertidae). Proceedings 13th Symposium of the Italian Ethology Society. Perugia, Italy, 19-22 May, 1989.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Bearzi, M., C. Saylan, and P. Ahuja. 1999. Marine Mammals of the Santa Monica Bay: Ecology, Habitat and Conservation. Teacher Training Manual & Curriculum. Ocean Conservation Society for Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation, Los Angeles, CA.

Bearzi, M. 1996. La Dieta che sviluppa l'energia vitale. DeVecchi Editore, Milan, Italy.

Translated from English to Italian. C. Saylan. 1995. Harley Davidson Custom, Giorgio Nada Editore, Milan, Italy

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