Meet Our Team

Current Research Team

Jorge Urbán R., Ph.D.

Co-Director and Founder

Jorge is a graduate of National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He is a Professor of marine biology at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), La Paz, B.C.S., where he directs the “Research Project on Marine Mammals” (PRIMMA). Jorge has led gray whale and other cetacean research programs in Baja California since 1996. He has widely published in the scientific literature on marine mammals and marine conservation, and serves on the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group, the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, and is a past President of the Mexican Society for Marine Mammalogy (SOMEMMA).
Steven L. Swartz, Ph.D.

Co-Director and Senior Scientist

Steven is a 1986 graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz and has researched and published widely on gray whales and their breeding lagoons in Baja California. He served as a consultant to the Mexican government’s Ministry for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries (SEMARNAP), and worked for the Ocean Conservancy (previously the Center for Environmental Education), the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.
Sergio Martínez Aguilar, Ph.D.

Field Director at Laguna San Ignacio

Sergio received his Master’s degree in Marine Science Student at the Autonomus University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) in La Paz, B.C.S. He made his Master’s and bachelor thesis on Humpback whale population assessment and recovery rates in México. Sergio is the Field Research Chief and leads the gray whale photographic identification program at Laguna San Ignacio, where he has conducted research on gray whales since 2009. In 2016 he completed his Ph.D. at UABCS and now is on the teaching faculty.
Lorena Viloria Gómora, Ph.D.

Gray Whale Research Leader in Bahía Magdalena

Lorena obtained her doctorate at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS). Since 2010 she has worked as a researcher with the Marine Mammal Research Program (PRIMMA) of the UABCS. Her research interests include acoustics, genetics, as well as marine pollution and effects on marine mammals. Beginning in 2018 she leads the gray whale research team in Bahía Magdalena.
Mary Lou Jones

Associate Researcher

Mary Lou is a 1985 graduate San Jose State University, Moss Landing Marine Laboratory. In addition to conducting the first systematic studies of gray whales in Laguna San Ignacio, Mary Lou undertook the first bathymetric studies of Laguna San Ignacio, the first multi-year evaluation of the potential impact of whale-watching activities on gray whales in the lagoon, and published the first estimate of gray whale calving interval based on photographic identification data. Her research on gray whales and other marine topics has appeared in numerous publications including the scientific journal of the International Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee, the National Geographic Society, and the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. She was the lead editor and contributor to the 1984 “Gray Whale” book published by Academic Press.
Aaron Thode, Ph.D.

Research Collaborator

Aaron Thode, Ph.D. is a professor of marine science and ocean acoustics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California. His broad research interests include the physics of acoustic energy in the ocean, the acoustic behavior of marine animals, the detection and enumeration of marine animals like whales using passive acoustic techniques, and the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life.
Fredrik Christiansen, Ph.D.

Research Collaborator

Dr. Fredrik Christiansen from Aarhus University in Denmark collaborates with the gray whale research program in Mexico to use unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drones, equipped with HD-digital video cameras and laser altimeters to obtain high resolution aerial photographs of gray whales in Laguna San Ignacio. Using zenithal images of the whales, the body length and volume of the whales is estimated, from which a measure of body condition (relative fatness) is obtained. Monitoring of the yearly body condition of gray whales makes it possible to assess changes in the energy reserves of whales throughout the Unusual Mortality Event (UME) from 2019-2023. The body condition data is also used to look at detailed bioenergetics in gray whales, including the growth rate and cost of calves in relation to the body condition of their mothers. From these measurements the amount of body fat converted into mother’s milk for the calves, and the increase in mass of the growing calves are estimated as a measure of energy transfer efficiency from mother-to-calf.
Lars Bejder, Ph.D.

Research Collaborator

Dr. Lars Bejder directs the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa where he supervises graduate level research students (PhDs and MScs) and is responsible for the academic and strategic development of the MMRP. His research on cetaceans focuses on behavioral ecology, analysing and developing quantitative methods to evaluate complex animal social structure, evaluating impacts of human activity (coastal development, tourism, habitat degradation) and health assessments. He works closely with wildlife management agencies to optimise the conservation- and management outcomes of his research. He is an advisor to: IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group, US Marine Mammal Commission; US National Marine Fisheries Service; the International Whaling Commission; Australian Federal Government; Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife; New Zealand Department of Conservation. Lars has served on the Pacific Scientific Review Group (NOAA), and on the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Dr Bejder is currently an adjunct Professor at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia and at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Previous Teams

2025 Gray whale research team in Bahía Magdalena lagoon complex

Team members included: Lorena Viloria Gómora (Field Chief), Yazmín Julio Romero, Axel Adair Rosas Orozco, María Fernanda Lara Buenaventura, Oscar Carlón, and Diana Guerrero Alcalá.
2025 Gray whale research team in Laguna San Ignacio

Team members are: Sergio Martínez A.(Field Chief) , Steven Swartz, Jorge Urbán R., Regina Lobo B., Francesca Díaz C., Aitana Romero V., Ernesto Partida R., Job A. Olguín H., Fabián Rodríguez, and Aixa I. Nuñez J.
2024 Gray Whale Research Team in Bahía Magdalena

The 2024 gray whale research in Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaborating researchers included Yazmín Julio Romero, Esthefania Alejandra Meza Orozco, Axel Adair Rosas Orozco, Aranza Paola Huerta Mendoza, Manuel Humberto Quintero Vega, and Francesca Díaz Cabal.
2024 Laguna San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2024 gray whale research in Laguna San Igancio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: AndrésGonzález Cisneros, Regina Lobo Barrera, Fabián Missael Rodríguez González, Job Olguín Hernández, Karen Y. Sánchez, and Noemi García. Dr. Aaron Thode and his students resumed the acoustics investigations.
2023 Gray WHale Research Team in Bahía Magdalena

The 2023 gray whale research in in Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaborating researchers included: Omar García C., María Laura Marcias, Endy Itzayana Ortega Yepes, Flor A. Enríquez Pérez, and Yazmín Julio Romero.
2023 Laguna San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2023 the gray whale research in Laguna San Igancio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Fabián Missael Rodríguez González, AndrésGonzáles Cisneros, Minerva Valerio Conchas, Regina Lobo Barrera., Adrián Zamora Zavala, Job Olguín Hernández, and Axel Adair Rosas Orozco.
2022 Gray Whale Research Team in Bahía Magdalena

The 2022 gray whale research In Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaboratingresearchers included: Omar García C., Mario Márquez, S., Lorena Magallón F., Monserrat Castillo O., and Barbara Diogo.
2022 Laguna San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2022 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignaco was led by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Andrés Gonzáles Cisneros, Minerva Valerio Conchas, Regina Lobo Barrera, Adrián Zamora Zavala, Fabián Missael Rodríguez González and Job Ailton Olguín Hernández.
2021 Bahia Magdalena Gray Whale Research Team

The 2021 gray whale research in Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaborating researchers included: Daniela Bernot Simon, Omar Castañeda García, Mario Márquez Segovia, Lorena Citlalli Magallón Flores, Omar Flores Ramírez, Michelle Rosales India, and Captain Miguel Gómez.
2021 Laguna San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2021 gray whale research In Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Floryser Ronzón-Contreras, Minerva Valerio, Alejandra Saavedra, Andrés González, and Fabian Rodríguez-González.
2020 Laguna San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2020 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Floryser Ronzón Contreras, Andrés González Cisneros, Lorena Citlalli Magallón, Yessica Brau Ibarra, Mónica Farriols Pérez, Patricia Casanova Gamba DVM, Jack Heaven, and Fabián Missael Rodríguez. Dr. Aaron Thode and his students conducted the acoustics investigation.
2020 Bahia Magdalena Gray Whale Research Team

El equipo de investigación de la temporada 2020 de ballena gris en Bahía Magdalena fue dirigido por la Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Los investigadores colaboradores incluyeron a: María Laura Marcías, Rodrigo Huerta, Michelle Rosales Inda y Minerva Valerio Conchas.
2019 Bahía Magdalena Gray Whale Research Team

The 2019 gray whale research in Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaborating researchers included: Mariana Hidalgo Reza, Andrés González Cisneros, Natalia Okpisz, and María Lura Marcías.
2019 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2019 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Floryser Ronzón Contreras, Paulette Durazo, Romina Preciado Pérez, Vinnie Calcero-García, Gara Goni Goday, Fabián Missael Rodríguez González, and Hunter Alan Warick. Dr. Aaron Thode, Dr. Héloïse Frouin-Mouy, Ludovic Tenorio-Hallé, and Regina Lobo Barrera conducted the acoustics investigation.
2018 Bahía Magdalena Gray Whale Research Team

The 2018 gray whale research in Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaborating researchers included: Mariana Hidalgo Reza, Lizbeth Sánchez Eliseo, Yessica Cota Loera, Camilla Muñoz, Omar García Castañeda, and Jorge Acevedo.
2018 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2018 gray whale research in Bahía Magdalena was directed by Dra. Lorena Viloria Gómora. Collaborating researchers included: Mariana Hidalgo Reza, Lizbeth Sánchez Eliseo, Yessica Cota Loera, Camilla Muñoz, Omar García Castañeda, and Jorge Acevedo. Dr. Aaron Thode and Ludovic Tenorio Hallé conducted the acoustics investigation.
2017 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2017 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Eder Antonio Belmont Sánchez, Fabian Missael Rodríguez González, Carlos Alberto López, Allyson Richins, and Mauriel Rodríguez. Dr. Aaron Thode and Ludovic Tenorio conducted the acoustic investigation.
2016 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2016 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Natalia Serna Urrea, Carlos Alberto López Montalvo, and Vinnie Caicero García, Gabriela Noemi Salazar Sánchez, and Eder Antonio Belmont Sánchez. Dr. Aaron Thode and his students conducted the acoustics investigation.
2015 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2015 the gray whale research in Bahia Magdalena was directed by Hiram Rosales Nanduca. Collaborating researchers included: Diana López Arzate, Raquel Arroyo Loranca, and Vinnie Caicero García. Aaron Thode and Kerry Seeger conducted the acoustics program.
2014 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2014 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Sergio Martinez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Carlos Alberto López Montalvo, Marina Hidalgo Reza, Lizbeth Sánchez Eliseo, and Ludovic Tenorio Hallé. The Acoustic Team included Aaron Thode and Kerri Seger.
2013 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2013 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Sergio Martinez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Jessica Robles, Carlos A. López Montalvo., Constanza Torres, and Paulette Durazo. Dr. Aaron Thode and Melania Guerrera conducted the acoustic investigations.
2012 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2012 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Diana López, Tabata Olavarrieta, Laura Rodríguez, Mauricio Rodríguez, Susana Tobar, Flor Vázquez, Claudia Díaz, and Erandi Calderón-Yáñez.
2011 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2011 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Hiram Nanduca, Anaid López Urbán, Jessica Robles Mercado, Erandi Calderón Yáñez, and Mauricio Rodríguez Álvarez. Dr. Aaron Thode and Delphine Matthias conducted the acoustic investigations.
2010 San Ignacio Gray Whale Team

The 2010 gray whale team in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Hiram Nanduca, Anaid López Urbán, Jessica Robles Mercado, Tabata Olavarrieta, and John Symons. Dr. Aaron Thode and Melania Guerra conducted the acoustic investigations.
2009 San Ignacio Gray Whale Team

The 2009 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was led by Sergio Martínez Aguilar. Collaborating researchers included: Hiram Nanduca, Anaid Lopez Urbán, Liria Del Monte Madrigal, Mauricio Nájera Caballero, and Héctor Pérez Puig. Dr. Aaron Thode and Melania Guerra conducted the acoustic investigations
2008 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2008 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Steven Swartz, Dr. Jorge Urban Ramírez, and Alejandro Gómez Gallardo. Collaborating researchers included: Sergio González Carrillo, Benjamín Troyo Vega., Mauricio Nájera Caballero, Anaid López Urban, and Angie Sremba. Dr. Aaron Thode and Melania Guerra conducted the acoustic investigations.
2007 Laguna San Ignacio Research Team

The 2007 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Steven Swartz, Dr. Jorge Urbán Ramírez, and Alejandro Gómez- Gallardo. Collaborating researchers included: Sergio González Carrillo, Benjamín Troyo Vega, and Mauricio Nájera Caballero, with assistance from Mariela Brito, Loana Mariam Lerch, Katia Galindo, Liliana Paredes, Margarita Aguilar, and Klara Jansson.
2006 San Ignacio Gray Whale Research Team

The 2006 gray whale research in Laguna San Ignacio was directed by Dr. Steven Swartz, Dr. Jorge Urbán Ramírez, M en C. Alejandro Gómez Gallardo. Collaborating researchers included: Sergio González Carrillo, Benjamín Troyo Vega, Mauricio Nájera Caballero.
1977-1982 San Ignacio Gray Whale Team

The 1981 field studies of breeding gray whales in Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, México, were led by Mary Lou Jones and Steven L. Swartz from Maryland, U.S.A., with assistance from Mike Bursk, Mike Symons, Bob Dahlheim, Marylin Dahlheim, Marsha Frost, and Jim Sumich.