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Olivia Trahan | Marine Biologist 🫍

@futuredrtrahan

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🐬 M.Sc. Biology @bruck_lab • @uncw.alumni
🧠 Dolphin behavior, cognition & ecology
✨Convincing you to care about the 🌊
🐠 Views are my own!

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I get asked a lot about my path into marine biology, and it definitely wasn’t perfectly planned. I started with an interest in wildlife, followed that into a marine biology degree, and along the way worked with some amazing animals and people.

There were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was doing enough, knew enough, or even on the “right” path. News flash: you don’t need to have your whole career figured out to start building it! :)

Have questions? Comment below ⬇️

🏷️ marine biology marine science biologist scientist STEM careers women in STEM cetacean research grad school journey grad school masters degree becoming a biologist ocean lover conservation science inspiring marine mammals dolphins pinnipeds sea turtles travel wildlife vetmed rescue and rehab orcas aquaculture taken in The Ocean :) by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

Starting a career in biology can definitely feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to look for opportunities, what skills to build, or how to get your foot in the door. 🫠🥲

SOOOO I put together some of my fav resources for any early-career marine biologists out there! Hopefully this gives you a few places to start. 🫶

And remember: you don’t have to have your entire career figured out yet. Start somewhere, stay curious, and keep saying yes to any opportunities that will help you grow. You got this!

#STEMcareers #womeninstem #marinebiology #conservationjobs by @futuredrtrahan

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2 months ago

Keep pushing. You can do hard things 🫂 by @futuredrtrahan

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2 months ago

some more sea lions being lazy and content in the sun + a helpful sea lion factoid from @futuredrtrahan taken in Kenai Fjords National Park by @futuredrtrahan

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21 days ago

Reasons to follow or unfollow me...according to me 😛 D1 yapper, professional overthinker, and unfortunately very passionate about whales! 🐳

If you're into marine biology, thinking about grad school, love wildlife, travel, random ocean facts, or just watching someone figure out what they're doing with their life...you're in the right place 🫡

🏷️ marine mammals conservation biology wildlife science research STEAM STEM women in science animal behavior cognition travel wildlife ocean fyp for you marine biologist yapper overthinker ocean facts by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

Me: *exists* the belugas: 👁️👁️ whatcha doinnnn? Apparently I was the enrichment that day….💀 by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

To celebrate World Dolphin Day, I’m sharing some of my favorite shots over the years. 🩵 I feel so lucky that I get to spend my life working with these amazing creatures!

Pictured is a long-beaked common dolphin, off the coast of San Diego in summer 2025.

🏷️ world dolphin day marine biology aspiring marine biologist ocean conservation wildlife science STEM research cetaceans cetology wildlife photography

Bigg’s killer whales, San Juan Islands - 2024

Taken as a Soundwatch Intern under NOAA/NMFS Permit 26285 with a 300mm zoom lens & cropped

Long-beaked common dolphins, San Diego - 2025
Look at that tiny baby!!! 🥹✨🐬

Risso’s dolphins, San Diego - 2025
First and last time I have ever seen risso’s…they’re SO cool!

Bigg’s killer whales, San Juan Islands - 2024

Taken as a Soundwatch Intern under NOAA/NMFS Permit 26285 with a 300mm zoom lens & cropped

Long-beaked common dolphin, San Diego - 2025

Southern Resident killer whales (J Pod), British Columbia - 2024

Taken as a Soundwatch Intern under NOAA/NMFS Permit 26285 with a 300mm zoom lens & cropped

Short-beaked common dolphins, San Diego - 2025

Bigg’s killer whales (T65As), San Juan Islands - 2024

Risso’s dolphin, San Diego - 2025

Offshore bottlenose dolphin, San Diego - 2025

Southern Resident killer whales (J Pod), British Columbia - 2024

Taken as a Soundwatch Intern under NOAA/NMFS Permit 26285 with a 300mm zoom lens & cropped

Long-beaked common dolphins, San Diego - 2025

Offshore bottlenose dolphin side-eye, San Diego - 2025

Bigg’s killer whales ft. Mount Baker, San Juan Islands - 2024

Taken as a Soundwatch Intern under NOAA/NMFS Permit 26285 with a 300mm zoom lens & cropped by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

A little motivation on your timeline this Friday 🫶 for my seasoned biologists, what would you add to this list?

🏷️ motivation fyp for you marine biology aspiring scientist STEM women in conservation ocean science wildlife inspiration career advice dreams wildlife careers becoming a marine biologist chase your dreams research animal behavior graduate student by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

HI!! If we haven’t met yet…I’m Olivia, a marine biologist who studies whale and dolphin cognition/behavior. Do you have a cool job? Let me know in the comments!! 🐬✨🧠🔬🌊

🏷️ marine life conservation ocean biology biodiversity fyp for you marine bio cetaceans dolphins whales seals jellyfish coral sea turtles sharks pinniped sea lion motivation lifestyle grad school advice undergrad college career inspo by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

Oh to be a harbor seal 🥹✨🦭

📸 by me, all taken respectfully from a distance with a 300mm zoom lens & cropped!

🏷️ seal harbor seal ocean life la jolla san diego california conservation cove nature wildlife preserve beach travel fyp marine biology biologist science biodiversity taken in La Jolla Cove by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

Those emails can wait 🤭 🌊

📸 by me!

🏷️ marine mammals ocean life conservation dolphins whales seals sea otter protect our oceans marine biologist cetaceans pinnipeds travel life blog inspo whale watching sunsets orcas by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago

Oldies from a special sunset trip with @sdwhalewatch 🌅

📸 by me, San Diego coast, 07/04/2025 taken in San Diego, California by @futuredrtrahan

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a month ago