Congratulations to VEL student Sarah Perryman for advancing to candidacy!

Sarah’s thesis investigates the foraging ecology of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the California Current. She uses stable isotope analysis of biopsy samples to characterize variation in diet across seasons and sexes. By linking dolphin isotope values to regional prey and seasonal context, she aims to understand how foraging patterns shift in response to ecosystem variability. This work will provide new insight into the ecological role of Risso’s dolphins and contribute to broader efforts to monitor and manage dynamic marine systems in the California Current.