About Us

The California Ocean Alliance is a non-profit collaboration of scientists, educators, and conservationists committed to understanding and protecting marine mammals locally and globally. By combining our different research backgrounds and knowledge, we are able to create a unique, holistic approach to marine conservation that is grounded in field-research, local engagement and action.

COA Management Team

Robert Mazurek

Co-Founder / Board Chair

Robert is a changemaker who has helped start countless national and international efforts to strengthen ocean governance, enhance marine policy, and create resilient coasts. His work has helped lead to the creation of some of the largest marine reserves in the world, including Australia’s Coral Sea Marine National Park, Chile’s Easter Island Marine Reserve, and the U.K.’s Pitcairn Island Marine Reserve. Robert also started the Secure Fisheries program, which strengthened maritime governance and fought illegal fishing in Africa and Asia. In California, Robert developed the management plan for the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, helped launch the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, and in 2016 started California Ocean Alliance with some friends and colleagues. Robert took over as Executive Director of the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation after sitting on the Board of Directors for 13 years. He has truly turned his lifelong passion for ocean conservation into a career that has benefitted the natural world.

Brandon Southall

Senior Scientist / Co-Founder

Brandon is President and Senior Scientist of Southall Environmental Associates (SEA), Inc., a Research Associate at UC Santa Cruz (UCSC), and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Duke University. He completed his Master’s and Ph.D. at UCSC, studying communication, hearing, and the effects of noise on seals and sea lions. Brandon has gone on to direct the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Acoustics Program, is President and Chief Scientist for SEA, advised international corporations on the impacts of offshore energy development and commercial fishing, and is one of the founders of COA. In addition to leading and presenting many of COA’s research studies to the public, Brandon serves as an instructor to COA’s educational programs, sharing insightful, real-time research experience with students. Across the board, Brandon’s work is all about translating what we know about marine mammal hearing and behavior into vital noise exposure criteria, regulatory policies, and public understanding and appreciation of human impact on these issues.

Kristin Southall

Director of Finance / Co-Founder / Board Member

Kristin is the Chief Operating Officer, Associate Scientist, and Board of Directors member of Southall Environmental Associates, Inc. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, Kristin volunteered at the Marine Mammal Center, where she began her own research on deep-diving marine mammal visual acuity that was later published. She went on to work at a UCSC RNA crystallography lab, the NASA Ames Research Center, and then co-founded Southall Environmental Associates, Inc. As well as overseeing COA’s finances, Kristin assists with coordinating educational programs, outreach, and conducting research studies. The driving force behind Kristin’s work is the future – doing work that ensures that marine mammals will be around for future generations to learn from and be inspired by, just as she has.

Caroline Casey

Director of Education / Co-Founder

Caroline is a Research Associate at the Pinniped Lab and Friedlaender Lab, a staff scientist at SEA Inc., and an Assistant Professor at UC Santa Cruz. She completed her PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCSC, where she studied the communication system of northern elephant seals, particularly that of male-on-male combat during the breeding season. When she isn’t managing northern elephant field studies, leading field work, training lab mammals, or mentoring students, Caroline develops and leads COA’s educational programs. The passion she carries for her work can be felt in everything she does and her approach to education always encourages curiosity and energy. She believes that students learn best when they develop a deep connection and responsibility towards the ocean.

Ari Friedlaender

Director of Research / Co-Founder

Ari is the Principal Investigator of the Friedlaender Lab and Professor at UC Santa Cruz. His research focuses on understanding marine mammal ecology and behavior, especially in relation to the effects of tag technology research and human disturbance. Ari received a Master’s in marine biology from the University of North Carolina and his Ph.D. in Ecology from Duke University. In addition to maintaining several long-term research programs, Ari has also studied the feeding behavior of humpback whales in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, the impacts of climate change and whaling on baleen whales in the Antarctic, and the impacts naval sonar has on marine mammal behavior off the southern California coastline. Ari’s research is a fundamental asset to the COA education program, where you might find him providing incredible, passionate insights into field experience as a lecturer.

Ryan Jones

Researcher / Program Manager

Ryan is a postdoctoral fellow at the Costa Lab at UC Santa Cruz with a Ph.D. in Ocean Sciences. His work focuses on how anthropogenic noise, particularly from navy sonars, impacts foraging and migratory patterns in California sea lions. Ryan has a background in dolphin echolocation with the US Navy Marine Mammal Program and became a skilled marine mammal trainer and educator during his time at the Pinniped Lab. Whilst working in the Pinniped Lab, he met Caroline, Brandon, and Ari and quickly became interested in COA’s work with education and outreach. Over the years, Ryan has operated in a variety of COA roles and is an invaluable instructor during our educational courses. Ryan’s approach to education is always as fun as it is informative.

Alena Jarrett

Digital Coordinator

Alena is a freelance multidisciplinary media specialist with a passion for marine conservation. After growing up in California, she returned home to England to obtain her BA in Contemporary Media Cultures from UAL and is now a digital nomad working with a variety of organizations across the world. First joining COA as a volunteer videographer back in 2015, Alena later became the photographer and videographer for the MMST program, and now manages COA’s website and social media and creates all things visual. She loves to capture the a-ha moments in a student’s eyes and help bring COA’s work to the world.