Beltran Lab

The Beltran Lab at UC Santa Cruz brings the wild lives of seals into sharp scientific focus. Led by Dr. Roxanne Beltran, the lab studies marine mammals (especially Northern elephant seals at the Año Nuevo Reserve) through long-term fieldwork, biologging, and ecological modeling. Their research reveals how individual seals navigate vast oceanic environments, respond to climate variability, and balance energy demands during deep dives and long migrations.

What makes their work vital for conservation is its grounding in real-world data. By tracking seals over time, the lab uncovers how changing ocean conditions – like warming waters or shifting prey distributions – affect seal survival and reproduction. These insights help predict how marine mammal populations might respond to environmental stressors, guiding conservation strategies that are proactive rather than reactive.

In essence, the Beltran Lab doesn’t just study seals, they help protect them by decoding the ecological puzzles that shape their lives. Providing ever deeper glimpses into these individual lives and their challenges is also part of their public outreach mission. Their work complements behavioral research from labs like the UCSC Pinniped Lab, creating a full-spectrum understanding of pinnipeds from brain to biome.