Randall Davis

Randall Davis, Marine Biologist, Texas A&M University Galveston

 Dr. Randall Davis is a Professor in the Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston and has a graduate appointment in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. He teaches undergraduate courses in Physiological Ecology of Marine Mammals and Marine Biology Seminars. Dr. Davis received a Ph.D. in Physiology from University of California, San Diego. He and his colleagues have pioneered the use of lightweight video cameras to track the underwater behavior of seals, showing them in the process of capturing their prey. His research emphasis is on the physiological ecology of marine mammals and birds, comparative physiology and behavior of diving vertebrates, animal energetics and locomotory performance. He has conducted research on six continents, but much of his field research has occurred in polar regions, including Antarctica, Alaska and Eastern Russia. Dr. Davis is just starting a 3-year study of how 24/7 darkness affects the hunting behavior of Weddell seals, and will be in Antarctica from September 11^th though early November 2008. His appearance at POLAR-PALOOZA College Station (aka “Aggie-PALOOZA”) will literally see him just days – and maybe mere hours – back from Antarctica. (A daughter of Dr. Davis is a PhD student at TAMU College Station). For more details....