Mridula Srinivasan completed her PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University where she investigated predation risk effects from killer whales and sharks on the behavioral ecology of dusky dolphins off Kaikoura, New Zealand. Dr. Mridula studies cetacean behavioral ecology, bycatch analysis, predator-prey interactions and predation risk effects. She is actively involved in international training and capacity building in marine mammal education, research, and stranding response, especially in India. She is currently Chief of the Protected Species Science Branch at NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Science and Technology, where she oversees a program to conduct and support R&D in the science of protected species including marine mammals, corals, sea turtles, and protected fish. She is passionate about ocean literacy and mentoring the next generation of marine scientists, and mentors Heir Abirami Subramanian.
