Lara Horstmann-Dehn

DepartmentOrganizationEmailPhoneAddressFairbanks , Alaska 99775United StatesBioDr. Horstmann is interested in broad-scale marine mammal ecology. Feeding ecology in particular is a keystone piece of information to understand adaptation potential of marine mammals and challenges that may arise. Dietary limitations can affect reproductive success, compromise immune function, change exposure to new pathogens (i.e., parasites, contaminants), and can therefore not only limit marine mammal population growth, but also potentially introduce new threats to humans depending on them as a subsistence resource.

Dr. Horstmann's research is focused on Arctic marine mammals, because 1) they are of cultural and nutritional importance to subsistence users, 2) the Arctic is undergoing noticeable change, and 3) planned oil and gas development in this habitat.

She is also working on a fish parasite, Ichthyophonus hoferi, in Chinook salmon, and its potential impact on pre-spawning mortality and fecundity.

Science Specialties

physiology, ecology, toxicology, marine mammals