S2E12 - Watching Whales in Southeast Alaska with Heidi Pearson 

The waters off the coast of southeast Alaska are some of the best places in the world to see whales. Whale watching has become a big business, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. But it’s also a pretty ideal place to be a biologist that studies whales.

Dr. Heidi Pearson is Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, and Biology, from Duke University and a PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University.

This episode of Wild World was produced by 3WireCreative with support from the Rice Alumni Traveling Owls and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. The Rice Alumni Traveling Owls program offers exciting intellectual itineraries to destinations across the globe. Traveling Owls trips serve as a catalyst for lifelong learning and strengthen bonds between Rice University alumni and friends. But you don’t have to be a Rice alum to participate in Traveling Owls programs. Scott will be hosting a Traveling Owls trip to southeast Alaska in August 2026 on a tour organized by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. Visit alumni.rice.edu/travelingowls for all the details. You can also call (713)-34-TRIPS or email travelingowls@rice.edu to ask questions or sign up!