Sophie Darling has worked in the marine mammal field since 2006, beginning her career with California sea lions while earning her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Over the following 16 years, she built deep expertise in marine mammal behavior, wildlife education, and community-based conservation.
In 2022, Sophie completed her Master of Arts in Biology with a focus on conservation at Miami University. Her graduate research explored burnout prevention in the conservation and wildlife care community, with a particular interest in the role of nature in fostering resilience and well-being.
Sophie’s journey in marine biology has brought her back to Monterey, California, where she now serves as both a naturalist and general manager at Discovery Whale Watch. She is passionate about using ecotourism as a platform for education and conservation, inspiring action by helping passengers form meaningful connections with the ocean.
Outside of her fieldwork, Sophie expresses her love for the natural world through scientific illustration. Her artwork supports conservation organizations and projects around the world, including logo design for the Ocean Research Alliance and contributing illustrations to a guidebook for the Estero Hondo Marine Mammal Sanctuary in the Dominican Republic.