Arial is broadly interested in the ecology, behavior, communication, and sociality of marine mammals. For her PhD, she is investigating the vocal behavior, intra-population genetic structure, and epidermal microbial patterns of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population. She is also a marine mammal biologist at NOAA and studies the acoustic ecology of cetaceans in the North Pacific. Arial enjoys being in the field and has been involved in marine mammal surveys off the coasts of Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii. Prior to moving to Seattle from California, Arial worked as a marine mammal trainer and research technician studying the bio-acoustics and behavior of bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, walrus, sea lions, seals, and sea otters. Arial earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2010, and is excited to be back in academia to help further the conservation effort of endangered cetacean species. Arial enjoys sailing, scuba diving, camping, wildlife photography, and hiking with her pup.