Birgitte I. McDonald

Birgitte I. McDonald is an Associate Professor at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, specializing in physiological and behavioral ecology. Her research focuses on adaptations of marine mammals and birds to extreme environments, including diving physiology, energetics of foraging and reproduction, and climate change impacts. She holds an M.A. in Biology from Sonoma State University and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Her postdoctoral work included studies at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (California sea lion diving physiology) and Aarhus University (Denmark) as an NSF International Research Fellow, examining harbor porpoise energetics. Key contributions include investigating lactation efficiency in elephant seals, maternal foraging behavior in Antarctic fur seals, and oxygen management strategies in diving mammals.

• Research Themes: Diving capacity mechanisms, energy allocation trade-offs, and ecosystem roles of marine species
• Fieldwork: California sea lions, Galapagos sea lions, elephant seals, crabeater seals, and harbor porpoises

Her NSF fellowship highlights recognition of her innovative approaches to linking physiological mechanisms with ecological adaptations. Current research integrates field studies and physiological metrics to predict species resilience under environmental change.

• Awards: NSF International Research Fellowship (2013–2015)

Collaborative projects bridge laboratory and field research, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to marine conservation challenges.