Rock Talk Seminar Series

Our Rock Talk Seminar Series is a long-standing and well-loved tradition at SML. Historically, faculty members and guest speakers would gather with students on Appledore Island's rocky shoreline (giving the Rock Talk series its name) to present on a wide range of topics related to natural history, ecology, biology, and more. To stay connected with our community following the pandemic, we transitioned our Rock Talks to a hybrid format and have featured guest speakers from across the world.

Please note: All Rock Talks begin at 8pm on Tuesdays.

Watch the Rock Talk

Introducing our 2025 Rock Talk Speakers

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Beyond the noise: Studying colonial animals through sound

Colonial animals present distinct challenges for conservation managers aiming to monitor their populations. This presentation explores my research uses passive acoustic monitoring to gain insights into the behavior and health of these dense colonies. By listening to the soundscape of colonies, including terns at Isles of Shoals, we can gain insights into the number of individuals, the behavioral state of the colonies, and monitor how they are responding to disturbance, offering a powerful, minimally invasive tool for conservation

a woman picking something up from a rocky shoreline

Valerie Eddington is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of New Hampshire. She is a member of both the Ecological Acoustics and Behavior Lab and the Quantitative Marine Ecology Lab. Her dissertation focuses on how we can use passive acoustic tools to efficiently monitor large aggregations of animals, including colonial bats and seabirds. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Saint Mary’s College where she developed a passion for bioacoustics research. As an undergraduate, she was involved in projects investigating the vocal behavior of small mammals, including northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) and fox squirrels (Scuirus niger).

Bats Across Borders: A Scientific Journey Through Island Bat Fieldwork

This presentation will explore bat species found along the East Coast of the United States and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on populations studied in Staten Island, NY, and St. John, USVI. The discussion will be divided into two sections: the first will highlight bat species documented in Staten Island, along with an overview of species found in the New Hampshire/Maine area. The second section will focus on St. John, presenting findings from field research conducted over the past decade. The talk will cover mist-net capture data, acoustic data, and detailing species diversity and behavioral observations recorded during field studies. Additionally, it will explore the impacts of White Nose Syndrome (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) on bat populations, alongside other environmental stressors. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on conservation strategies, and what we can do to help spread awareness and protect this vital species.

Danielle Fibikar was born and raised on Staten Island, New York, and earned her M.S. in Biology from the College of Staten Island (CSI). Since 2016, she has worked as an adjunct instructor of biology at CSI. Over the past decade, her research has focused on studying bat populations on Staten Island and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Danielle is passionate about educating the public on the ecological and economic importance of bats. Throughout her career, she has observed that fear of bats often stems from misunderstanding. Danielle believes that education is the key to reshaping the public view and eliminating the negative stigma surrounding these important species. Her goal is for people who attend her presentations to leave with a newfound respect and appreciation for bats and their contributions to the ecosystem.

TBD