The conservation research and activities of Dr Chris Parsons and his students Recent Graduate Student Research Projects:
MS Students
• McConchie, T. 2007. Area.
Computer assisted analysis of individual bottlenose dolphin fins off Wallops Island, Virginia. Masters thesis. George Mason University, Virginia. (joint director with D. Kelso)
• McDuff, H. 2008. How sea turtle populations are impacted by shrimp trawls along the United States east coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Masters project. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Tadur, S. 2008. The use of patent
variables in biotech firm valuation-the case of misspecified models. George Mason University, Virginia.
• O’Bryhim, J. 2009. Public knowledge, attitudes and behavior to sharks and shark conservation. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Wong, D.L. 2009. Public perception of mammals and mammal conservation in Fairfax County. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Willis, T. 2009. Decentralized wind energy generation: advantages and challenges. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Fazio, J. 2010. A behavioral assessment of the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa); a comparative analysis of reproductive success. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Griffith, D. 2010. Waste reduction as a method to reach conservation goals; a comparative analysis of plastic waste management. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Patterson, K. 2010. Conservation, captivity, and whaling: a survey of Belize whale-watching tourist attitudes to cetacean conservation issues. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Sitar-Gonzales, A. 2011. A survey of student opinions of green commercials. Master’s thesis. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Galgano, M.R. 2011. A review of Brucella — focusing on marine mammals and the associated zoonotic health risk. Master’s project. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Tracy, S. 2012. Understanding conservation: a study of student attitudes and understanding of the effects of human activities on global ecosystems. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Hendren, A. 2012. The public perception of marine invertebrates in the Washington, D.C. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Sharma, A. 2012. Marine plastic pollution. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Redman, M. 2013. Keeping green schoolyards green: a study of challenges and success strategies for the long-term sustainability of schoolyard habitats. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Ozbenian, S. 2013. Survey of attitudes toward, conflicts with and management of wolves and bears in rural villages in Armenia. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Roland, A. 2013. Population size and viability of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off the coast of the Parque Nacional De Este, Dominican Republic. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Abrahams, H. 2014. Mitochondrial control region diversity and phylogeographic patterns of the Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) along the East Coast of the United States. PhD Students
• Ambler, J.B. 2011. Whales and the people who watch them: baleen whales in Virginia’s near-shore waters and the educational and conservation potential of whale watching. Doctoral thesis. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Crerar, L. 2012. Genetics of the Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas): a study of ancient bone material. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Luksenburg, J. 2012. The cetaceans of Aruba: a multidisciplinary study. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Shafer, C.L. 2013. Grizzly emigration and land use: an interdisciplinary case study of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. George Mason University, Virginia.
• Thornhill, J.L., 2014. Bridging the gap between research and decision-making: empirical evidence from a case study of gray wolf (Canis lupus) management in the US.
09/24/2025
Available now as a fundraiser for the Dugongs & Seadragons ocean science and D&D podcast’ outreach events
The latest Marine Conservation Happy Hour podcast: the Death at SeaWorld TV series - with Simon Allen
Marine Conservation Happy Hour: The new "Death at Seaworld" TV show - with Simon Allen
Dr Scarlett Smash and Dr Craken chat to showrunner and writer Simon Allen on a new TV drama show based on the book "Death at Seaworld". Having written for TV shows such as "The Musketeers", "Das Boot", "Tehran" and a number of action and horror series, they talk about how Simon got into the fi...
08/20/2025
The Marine Conservation Happy Hour podcast: Ocean Science Careers advice - with Andrew Thaler
Marine Conservation Happy Hour: Ocean science careers advice with Andrew Thaler
Jobs and careers in the marine conservation and science field look very different today compared to just a couple of years ago. Dr Scarlett Smash and Dr Craken chat to Dr Andrew Thaler about current career possibilities in ocean science and conservation and provide advice for those searching for job...
08/07/2025
On the latest Marine Conservation Happy Hour podcast, Dr Andrew Thaler talks about his D&D adventure, “The Last Hunt for the Jabberwock” and using roleplaying games for environmental education
Marine Conservation Happy Hour
The Marine Conservation Happy Hour Podcast looks at the many different sides Conservation Science (Marine, Environmental, Animal and Human) in an informal setting - during a pub Happy Hour, chatting casually over a few (or more) drinks. The show is co-hosted by and .....
On July 27 a new National Geographic documentary "Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time" premiers. 20 years after the Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Dr Craken chats with Dr Ivor van Heerden, a climate scientist whose research predicted the devestation that the hurricane caused.
Marine Conservation Happy Hour
The Marine Conservation Happy Hour Podcast looks at the many different sides Conservation Science (Marine, Environmental, Animal and Human) in an informal setting - during a pub Happy Hour, chatting casually over a few (or more) drinks. The show is co-hosted by and .....
07/11/2025
The latest Marine Conservation Happy Hour podcast episode: Jaws at 50 with Wendy Benchley
Marine Conservation Happy Hour
The Marine Conservation Happy Hour Podcast looks at the many different sides Conservation Science (Marine, Environmental, Animal and Human) in an informal setting - during a pub Happy Hour, chatting casually over a few (or more) drinks. The show is co-hosted by and .....