Daniel Crocker

Daniel Crocker serves as Professor and Chair of the Biology Department at Sonoma State University, where he leads groundbreaking research on marine mammal physiology and human-induced environmental stressors.

His work centers on how noise and contaminants affect marine species' survival and reproduction, with particular expertise in vertebrate endocrinology and physiological adaptations like extended fasting in seals. These studies bridge conservation biology and human health, offering insights into diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Dr. Crocker has coauthored influential reports for the National Academies of Science and currently contributes to the Department of Defense-funded Population Consequences of Multiple Stressors working group.

His exceptional scholarly contributions earned the Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship in 2024.

• Wang Family Excellence Award (2024 Outstanding Faculty Scholarship)

Dr. Crocker has secured nearly $8 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, transforming Sonoma State's biology program. He actively mentors over 140 students—supporting paid research for 40+ graduate students in the master's program and involving 100+ undergraduates, many from underserved communities through McNair, Sally Casanova, and Koret scholar programs.

He directs the vertebrate endocrinology lab at Sonoma State and serves on key national committees advancing marine mammal conservation physiology research.