Sean M. Wiggins

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About

Dr. Sean M. Wiggins is a leading figure in marine bioacoustics, whose work has fundamentally advanced our ability to monitor cetaceans in their natural habitat. His research centers on the development and application of autonomous, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) systems to study the behavior, distribution, and ecology of marine mammals. Dr. Wiggins’s most significant contribution is his pioneering use of the Wave Glider, a wave-powered unmanned maritime vehicle (UMV), for persistent ocean presence. His seminal 2010 paper on this topic, which has garnered 41 citations, demonstrated how this novel platform could harvest wave energy for limitless propulsion, enabling long-duration, remote acoustic surveys without the constraints of crewed vessels. This work has proven transformative, allowing researchers to collect continuous acoustic data from previously inaccessible regions. Beyond this, Dr. Wiggins has been instrumental in designing and deploying other innovative recording systems, such as the High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP), which have become standard tools in the field. His contributions have directly expanded our understanding of species from blue whales to beaked whales, making him a key architect of modern marine bioacoustics.