Dr. Michelle Fournet is an acoustic ecologist renowned for her work in marine bioacoustics, focusing on how marine organisms use sound to communicate and how human activities impact these interactions. She earned her Master’s and Ph.D. in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University, where her research centered on the effects of vessel noise on humpback whales in Southeast Alaska. Throughout her career, Dr. Fournet has been affiliated with several esteemed institutions.
She served as a postdoctoral fellow at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at Cornell University, where she investigated animal communication and the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life. Animal communication in marine environments primarily relies on sound,
as it travels efficiently through water and enables species like whales, dolphins, and fish to navigate, find food, and interact socially. However, anthropogenic noise—originating from ships, industrial activities, and sonar—can mask these vital acoustic signals, leading to behavioral changes, stress, and even displacement from critical habitats.
An ecologist is a scientist who studies the relationships between organisms and their environments, examining how living things interact with each other and with abiotic factors such as climate, soil, and water. Ecologists research various fields, including population dynamics, ecosystem function, conservation biology, and biodiversity. Their work is crucial for understanding ecological processes, addressing environmental challenges, and informing sustainable resource management. Ecologists may specialize in marine, terrestrial, or microbial ecology, and they often work in academia, government agencies, or environmental organizations.
Studies have shown that increased noise pollution disrupts mating calls, interferes with predator-prey interactions, and forces marine animals to adapt by altering their vocalizations, often at an energetic cost. This growing issue has spurred conservation efforts to regulate underwater noise levels to protect marine ecosystems.
She also held a position as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Acoustic Ecology at the University of New Hampshire’s Department of Biological Sciences, leading the Marine Bioacoustics and Behavior Lab (Sea BABEL). Dr. Fournet’s research primarily focuses on Arctic and sub-Arctic marine mammals, including cetaceans and pinnipeds1.
She also studies the acoustics of sub-tropical fishes. Her work aims to use bioacoustics as a tool for conservation and to assess species’ resilience to changing ocean conditions. In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Fournet is the director of the Sound Science Research Collective, a marine conservation non-profit dedicated to applied research and fostering an equitable platform for scientific growth.
Fathom is a visual and aural wonder of a documentary that follows researchers working to finally decode the communication of humpback whales. With Dr. Michelle Fournet, Dr. Ellen Garland. Seen on Apple TV and in Theaters in 2021
She is also a National Geographic Explorer, recognized for contributing to marine biology and behavioral ecology. Dr. Fournet’s work has been featured in various media outlets, highlighting her efforts to understand and protect marine ecosystems through the study of sound.
Her research not only advances scientific knowledge but also informs conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of human activities on marine life.
Footnotes
- Cetaceans and pinnipeds are two distinct groups of marine mammals that play vital roles in ocean ecosystems. Cetaceans include whales, dolphins, and porpoises, which are fully aquatic mammals known for their intelligence, echolocation abilities, and complex social structures. They are divided into two subgroups: toothed whales (Odontoceti), such as dolphins and sperm whales, and baleen whales (Mysticeti), like humpback and blue whales. Pinnipeds, on the other hand, are semi-aquatic marine mammals that include seals, sea lions, and walruses. Unlike cetaceans, pinnipeds spend part of their lives on land for breeding and resting. Both groups rely heavily on sound for communication and navigation, making them particularly vulnerable to underwater noise pollution. ↩︎
Further Reading
Sources
- University of New Hampshire “Michelle Fournet” https://colsa.unh.edu/person/michelle-fournet
- Cornell University “Michelle Fournet, Ph.D.” https://www.birds.cornell.edu/ccb/michelle-fournet/
- National Geographic “Michelle Fournet” https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/michelle-fournet
- Marine Bioacoustics and Behavior Lab https://michellefournet.wordpress.com/ https://michellefournet.wordpress.com/our-team/
- IMDB “Fathom” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13622130/?ref_=nm_flmg_knf_t_1
