Rebecca Hamner

Senior | Majors: Marine Biology and Psychology

I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to use molecular genetic techniques to investigate issues related to the conservation of Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) and a recently recognized subspecies Maui’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui).  These endangered dolphins are endemic to the waters surrounding New Zealand, making the University of Auckland an ideal place to conduct this research.  In addition to genetic analyses, I also hope to learn more about the interactions between the local people and these dolphins, as they are subject to the effects of human interactions and disturbances.  I graduated from UNCW summa cum laude with university honors, earning a B.S. in marine biology with a minor in chemistry and a B.A. in psychology in May 2006.  My research experiences as an undergraduate at UNCW provided me with an excellent background to propose and carry out this study. I gained valuable field experience assisting Dr. Laela Sayigh’s lab with bottlenose dolphin surveys along the coast of southeastern North Carolina for four years.  I also spent three years working with Dr. Wilson Freshwater at the Center for Marine Science using molecular genetic tools to investigate a variety of topics involving algae and lionfish.      I learned skills for molecular genetic analyses as well as many other aspects of research, and completed an Honors thesis, entitled “Genetic analyses of lionfish: Venomous marine predators invasive to the western Atlantic.” I received two Undergraduate Research Fellowships that gave me practice proposing and writing up the work I carried out.  I will miss UNCW, but am excited to begin my work on Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins in New Zealand in February 2007.