Michael A. Castellini, PhD

Professor of Marine Biology and Dean of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Emeritus · University of Alaska Fairbanks

Mike Castellini received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego; his doctorate in marine biology and his first postdoc at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD; and further postdoc work at the University of British Columbia Vancouver. His research focus has been on comparative vertebrate physiology, biochemistry and behavioral adaptations in diving marine mammals and birds. Further research involved population health and response to climate change. His fascination with seals, whales, other marine mammals, and seabirds has led him to join in on over 20 sea expeditions in the Antarctic and the Arctic polar regions. He arrived at University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989 and was the founding director of the Alaska SeaLife Center from 1995-1999. Castellini was also integral in the startup of the Research Vessel Sikuliaq , a world-renowned research facility, and has been the senior director of the BLaST Research Enrichment Core since 2016. Castellini retired in December 2020 after almost 50 years in research, authorship, and service.

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