David Rosen

Assistant Professor Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries IOF Graduate Advisor Degrees: PhD Memorial University of Nfld MSc Memorial University of Nfld

Contact Information

Location: 243 AERL Building, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z9
Email: d.rosen@oceans.ubc.ca
Phone: (604) 822-8184
Twitter: @MMeanLab

Research Unit

Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Laboratory

Research Interests

My primary research has focussed on aspects of the bioenergetics (energy requirements and expenditures) of marine mammals. I use this approach to understand the root causes of population changes by investigating the interactions between the physiology of individual animals and biotic and abiotic environmental changes. The work directly contributes to the conservation and management of marine resources. I have also begun a research program investigating how marine mammals navigate long distances at sea. Many species undertake spectacular trips, arriving at an isolated location at a precise time – how do they manage this incredible feat? What natural signals do they use along the way? This research incorporates aspects of movement analysis, sensory physiology, and animal behaviour.

Biography

I did my undergrad in Marine Biology at the University of Guelph, which we touted as “equidistant from all three of Canada’s oceans”. It was there I was first exposed to marine mammal science, bioenergetics, and ecology. I decided to actually work near an ocean for my MSc, and settled on “The Rock” to study behavioural ecology under Dr. Deane Renouf at Memorial University. My thesis work was studying harbour seal mother/pup pairs on the nearby French Island of Miquelon. For my PhD, I chose to remain at MUN and work at the Seal Research Lab, but switch to a thesis more focused on physiology and energetics. The lab was deeply emeshed in the harp seal/cod controversy, and so I was convinced to switch coasts and work on the equally political Steller sea lion/pollock controversy. In 1998, I established the Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Laboratory, which conducts both “pure” and conservation-directed research with groups of trained marine mammals (primarily Steller sea lions and northern fur seals) under human care at the Vancouver Aquarium and the Open Water Research Station in Port Moody.

Website: Marine Mammal Research Unit

Selected Publications:

My publications can be found at: http://mmru.ubc.ca/personnel/rosen/#pubs or https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Rosen4.

Related stories:

Congrats to Dr. David Rosen

Congrats to Dr. David Rosen, co-author of the paper that received a 2024 recipient of Outstanding AJVR (American Veterinary Medical Association) Intern Manuscript Award

IOF faculty members receive funding from Government of Canada

Dr. Marie Auger-Méthé's Canada Research Chair in Statistical Ecology (Tier II) was renewed, and she, along with Dr. William Cheung and Dr. David Rosen received NSERC Discovery Grant funding.

The cryptic lives of marine mammals: a century of marine mammal metabolisms

The metabolic rates of marine mammals who live their entire lives at sea or remain submerged for long periods of time are almost impossible to measure, creating large gaps in the data that scientists hope to fill with future technological innovations.

Hungry, hungry otters! Looking at captive sea otters to understand their wild counterparts

These furry marine mammals seem to have bottomless stomachs — what does that mean for the habitats and species around them?

Long-term studies quantify the prey requirements of pinnipeds, and help predict the effects of nutritional stress

Two new studies by Dr. David Rosen answer the question: “How much fish does a seal need?”

Sea lions and walruses in managed care reveal how wild animals handle environmental disturbance

Knowledge about resting metabolic rates or energy expenditures can lead to big, meaningful changes for the conservation of wild animals.

How to power a walrus

New study shows loss of sea ice will require walruses to swim more and eat more to survive climate change

STUDENT PROFILE: Ana Pozas

Focusing her research on the diets of California sea lions, Pozas enjoys working with the 'dogs of the sea', proving that the "ocean is not such a scary place and that there's so much to learn still."

SPOTLIGHT: Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Lab carries on with research despite COVID-19 setbacks

“It just means we have to be creative to keep research going,” said David Rosen, assistant professor and principal investigator

Go walrus, go!

Walruses live in the rapidly changing Arctic. Dr. David Rosen is trying to figure out how climate change will impact the health of young walruses.