Executive Director & Senior Scientist

Barbie is a research biologist with 15 years of experience working with marine mammals. All told, she estimates she has performed close to 2,000 necropsies over her career (basically all species found in California waters), 100 of which involved leading responses for large baleen whales. Cetaceans have been her greatest passion, with a special fondness towards blue whales. She began her career as a stranding coordinator and necropsy manager at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. Over the course of her career, Barbie has followed her love for marine animal anatomy and disease. She holds a Masters of Science degree from Sonoma State University with her thesis focused on gray whale nutritional condition and has sat on NOAA’s gray whale Unusual Mortality Event committee. As the founder of CCMART, she is incredibly excited to spearhead new innovative ideas and spread her passion for marine science to volunteers and the general public!

Science Communicator & Outreach Manager

Geno holds a PhD focused on behavior and stress impacts on marine mammals and has participated in the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network for nearly 15 years, ranging from rescue and rehabilitation to contributions to academic programs. Some of his favorite career highlights include camping with a colony of sea lions on the Galapagos for months (doing his best Jane Goodall impression) and creating innovative techniques to rescue entangled sea lions in California. Dr. DeRango currently leads efforts to assess sound impacts on marine species on Vandenberg Space Force Base and the Northern Channel Islands. As a member of CCMART, Geno is thrilled to broadcast our message to local communities and beyond.