Dr. Rachel Cartwright hails originally from Manchester, Northern England. Rachel’s area of expertise is in behavioral ecology, with an emphasis on early development in humpback whales. Coming from a background as a general marine naturalist, Rachel spent many years in the field, before returning to university to obtain her master’s and then her doctoral degree in Conservation Biology, from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Her research focusing on the health and well-being of young humpback whales in Hawaiian waters formed the foundation of her doctoral research, and she continues this research today. Rachel spent 15 years teaching biology, environmental science, and bio-statistics at California State University Channel Islands, and during this time, incorporating both undergraduate and masters-level students into all aspects of her fieldwork and data analysis. Her work includes an extensive publication record and has been covered by the BBC, National Geographic, and the New York Times. Currently, Rachel combines distance-based teaching with her research. She spends each winter in Maui, Hawaii, and then just like the whales she studies, Rachel heads to Alaska for the summer, where she works as a naturalist, tour guide, and freelance writer.

Rachel, and her research team in Hawaii, are committed to empowering the next generation of wildlife and conservation biologists. To this end, the team welcomes student groups and interns to join their program each year. For more on the project check out www.caringforcalves.org. and to see the latest details on the birth of a humpback whale, captured for the first time by Rachel and her team, head to Nat Geo/Disney Plus and look for the series, Incredible Animal Journeys.