Dr. Deborah Giles

Deborah A. Giles, PhD, is a killer whale scientist at the SeaDoc Society. 

Utilizing non-invasive research techniques, such as harnessing the superpowers of a scent detection dog, Eba, to locate floating whale feces to using drone’s outfited with petri dishes to collect breath droplets, SeaDoc’s research reveals how nutrition, stress, manmade chemicals, and environmental change intersect to influence the survival of Southern Resident killer whales.

From on-the-water field research to collaborative conservation science, Giles will share how cutting-edge, non-invasive science is helping researchers better understand the physiological health – and mounting challenges – facing these iconic whales of the Salish Sea.

Dr. Giles has had an illustrious career.  After completing her undergraduate degree, she became a research assistant and began graduate study, specializing in conservation biology and whale behavior, focused primarily on the Southern Resident killer whales. Completing her degree in just 3 years, she pushed on with a Ph.D., all while working as a research scientist with NOAA, and the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington. Today, she is one of only a handful of scientists to have focused almost exclusively on this endangered population, making her a leading expert on these whales. She’s an invaluable resource, acting in advisory positions for conservation groups in her island community, as well as state and local government.

Giles’ lifework is multifaceted: a lot of her time is spent on the water, observing the whales’ behavior, and improving non-invasive health monitoring techniques. Off the water, she’s a tireless vocal advocate, testifying at hearings, and public meetings, or acting as an expert witness in a lawsuit: whatever can affect change for these whales, whom she views as “better versions of ourselves.”