Dr. Harris Receives Award for Sea Turtle Health Research
In recognition of her dedication and contributions too the field of marine ecosystem health,Dr. Harris has been awarded the prestigious Sea Turtle Health Research Award. This award holds a special importance for Dr. Harris as it highlights her passion project and brings attention to the sea turtles living in our local waters.
As a wildlife veterinarian with a specialization in marine ecosystem health and preventive medicine, Dr. Harris leads the sea turtle health research program at Upwell, a nonprofit institution based in central California. Their research focuses on investigating local and global threats to federally protected sea turtles, including exposure to pollutants and biotoxins, as well as health impacts related to climate change.
A Collaborative Effort
One of Upwell’s significant partners in this research is the Seattle Aquarium, which provides valuable expertise for sea turtle stranding response in the Pacific Northwest and contributes data to their collaborative efforts.
An Integrative Approach
Dr. Harris utilizes an integrative One Health approach in her studies of sea turtles and marine mammals as sentinels for ocean and human health. This approach allows for a better understanding of the interconnectedness between the health of these animals and the health of our oceans.
“Sea turtles are like a barometer for changing ocean conditions,” explains Dr. Harris. “They provide real-time facts about what’s happening in our oceans,especially when they wash ashore in northern latitudes.”
Improving Health Outcomes
The ultimate goal of this research is to improve the clinical care and survival outcomes for sea turtles by understanding their underlying health conditions.
A Passion for Sea Turtles
Dr. Harris has been working with sea turtles for over two decades and her interest with these creatures continues to grow,particularly with the grand leatherback turtles.
“They’ve been around as the time of dinosaurs!” says Dr. harris. “And hopefully they will continue to be resilient enough to survive long after us.”
In addition to her work at Upwell, Dr. Harris also serves as an associate veterinarian at The Marine Mammal Center and is on faculty at cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She holds a DVM in Veterinary Medicine and MPVM in Wildlife Disease Ecology from University of California, Davis, as well as a BA in environmental Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara.
This award not only recognizes Dr. Harris’ dedication and hard work but also brings attention to the important research being done on sea turtle health and conservation efforts.
Congratulations Dr. Harris on this well-deserved recognition for your dedication to marine conservation research! 🌊🐠
Samantha: Such an inspiration to see the impact that Dr. Harris is making in marine conservation! Keep up the amazing work! 🌟
Liam: Well done Dr. Harris! Your commitment to protecting our oceans is truly commendable. Thank you for all that you do! 👏
Olivia: Wow, what an amazing achievement! Dr. Harris is paving the way for a better future for our marine ecosystems. So proud! 🦈💙
Ethan: Dr. Harris is a true leader in the field of marine conservation. This award is well-deserved! Keep up the fantastic work! 🐟✨