Marine Mammal Institute - Oregon State University

09/02/2026

Bid on a genuine Exploding Whales baseball jersey and support marine mammals at the same time!! 🤩⚾🐳 Bidding is live September 2-11.

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

08/31/2026

Check out this new resource by Marine and Coastal Opportunities - Oregon State University to help get you started exploring career options in marine mammal science.

Introducing our newest Marine Career Pathway: Marine Mammalogy!

This pathway dives into how students can focus on these charismatic megafauna, including career and academic resources such as undergraduate and graduate courses taught by Marine Mammal Institute faculty, interviews with industry professionals, future graduate training opportunities including the Marine Mammal Graduate Certificate and much more. Explore it at beav.es/marine-careers.

The Marine Career Pathways project was created for students with big interests who aren’t sure how to turn those interests into concrete academic and career steps. This MACO-led project is designed to help prospective and current students move from interest to action as they launch their marine careers.

Each Marine Career topic gives you ideas for building skills, getting experience, and discovering what’s possible by gathering key resources in one place, including:
• Career examples
• Related OSU degrees and courses
• Facilities and certifications
• Internships and scholarships
• Interviews with real professionals in the field

Note: This resource is supplemental to academic advising and should be used in consultation with your major advisor

08/14/2026

We are pleased to share this beautiful short film created for us by the OSU Story Lab that tells the story of the blue whale skeleton that now resides at OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Featuring footage from MMI researchers, Dinosaur Valley Studios, OSU University Relations and Marketing, OSU Story Lab, and volunteers Nancy Treneman and Jared Hughey, the film highlights the partnerships and dedication that made this project possible.

We continue to be amazed by how many visitors admire him each day. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped transform this whale's life into a lasting legacy.

Now on display at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science...

08/14/2026

Tech in Conservation: How can scientists study wildlife without ever having to handle the animals? 🐬

Continuing our series with a groundbreaking study from Marine Mammal Institute - Oregon State University examining how environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from seawater can be used to monitor dolphin populations.

By analyzing DNA naturally shed into the ocean, researchers were able to assess genetic diversity in multiple dolphin species off Southern California without handling the animals.

The approach offers a non-invasive way to study population health and could help improve how scientists monitor marine mammals and understand responses to environmental change.

Read the story here: beav.es/YiR

08/04/2026

An MMI researcher spotted an entangled humpback whale during a routine aerial research survey on July 23. We subsequently collaborated in the successful effort to free this severely entangled whale, however the whale is unlikely to survive due to injuries from the entanglement.

07/21/2026

Thank you to OPB for this beautiful coverage!