Climate Pathfinder: Student’s Research Gives Animals a Voice
By studying the sounds of the ocean, Duke undergraduate Lizzy Glazer speaks up for the sea creatures whose lives and homes are under threat
Glazer was first attracted to Duke because of the university’s Marine Lab, a year-round laboratory in Beaufort that has facilitated much of Glazer’s research. As a Rachel Carson Scholar, she has received funding for her independent study researching North Atlantic right whales, an endangered species. Glazer analyzed the call rates of right whales migrating along North Carolina’s coast, exploring the potential use of passive acoustic monitoring to detect nearby whales. She notes that this approach could alert vessels to slow down, helping to reduce the risk of boat strikes, a leading cause of whale mortality.
Protecting a species to protect Earth
At Duke, Glazer has been able to find her “niche” in what’s known as cetacean bioacoustics, studying the sounds of animals like whales, dolphins and porpoises. However, she has also had a diverse array of experiences where she learned about other marine animals.
“Conservation involves all animals, and in order to focus on just one species, you have to appreciate the entire system,” Glazer said.
“When we protect one species,” Glazer said, “we’re really protecting their entire ecosystem and the Earth as a whole.”
As a Robertson Scholar, she was awarded funding to travel to the Maldives to study sharks and to the Galapagos to study dolphins. She also participated in a marine ecology course in Belize, where she studied the biodiversity of the rainforests and reefs.
She has been to Maui, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she tagged whales and analyzed acoustic data to study how they respond to vessel noise.
Marine science leader
When she’s not in the field (or under water), Glazer spends much of her time focused on her studies and working with current and future conservation scholars. She is the president of Duke’s chapter of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, a national organization dedicated to supporting students who are passionate about ocean conservation and sustainability. Last year, Glazer created and organized the inaugural Summit for Ocean Stewards, bringing pioneering ocean explorer and Duke alumna Sylvia Earle as the keynote speaker at one of Duke’s biggest student-run conferences. Glazer has also spent time teaching students in Durham and New Orleans about ecology and sustainability.
“Education is a crucial part of conservation,” Glazer said. “The primary goal is to encourage children to care about their environments and the oceans.”
Nicholas School of the Environment faculty member Meagan Dunphy-Daly has worked with Glazer in multiple ways. Dunphy-Daly directs the Rachel Carson Scholars Program and the Marine Lab Scholars Program.
“It’s been a joy to watch Lizzy grow as a scientist during her four years at Duke. She is a leader in and out of the classroom – as a Rachel Carson Scholar, the president of Sustainable Oceans Alliance, and a mentor for high school students through our Bass Connections team. She is destined for great things!” Dunphy-Daly said.
Dunphy-Daly added that Glazer is a leader in the marine science community at Duke in both her scholarship and outreach.
“Lizzy impressively envisioned and executed Duke’s first large-scale marine science conference: the Summit for Ocean Stewards. Over 300 participants showed up to the summit last year, and it is now an annual event,” Dunphy-Daly added.
Glazer is treasuring her many Duke experiences as she prepares for her next steps after graduation.
“I’m forever grateful for Duke,” Glazer said, “and for the incredible professors who have decided to dedicate their lives to the next generation, encouraging us and inspiring us to go on and do amazing things.”
turtle in the Maldives
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