Sam joined SR3 as a research associate in 2023, after several years of collaborating with SR3 on projects using aerial photogrammetry projects to study free-ranging cetaceans. Sam’s first exposure to photogrammetry was when she was pursuing her Master’s degree in Environmental and Ocean Sciences at the University of San Diego, where she analyzed aerial images to describe group composition of common dolphins in southern California. Sam’s current work with SR3 uses aerial photogrammetry to characterize behavioral metrics of Southern Resident killer whales, health of gray whales, and behavioral response of dolphins to Navy sonar. In addition to cetaceans, Sam has researched a variety of other marine organisms, including pinnipeds, ichthyoplankton and intertidal algae. When she’s not poring over aerial images and data, Sam enjoys hiking, knitting, and reading.