Our Mission
Naked Whale Research (NaWhaRe)
is a killer whale research nonprofit founded in 2010 by Jodi Smith.
The purpose of the organization is to study the behavior of small cetaceans, particularly the Endangered Southern Resident population of killer whales known as J, K, and L family pods. NaWhaRe is located on the Northern California Coast which provides us a unique opportunity to help fill in the winter data gaps of these animals outside their core summer territory of inland Washington State and British Columbia, Canada. Research of this top marine predator is important not only for the conservation of an endangered species, but for informing potential risks to coastal human populations who share some of the same natural resources. Recently the organization has branched out to look at other conspecific species such as grey whales, harbor porpoise, and bottlenose dolphin populations as climate change and declining prey has altered their behavior, habitat, and migration patterns.
We look forward to providing research and education on these long lived social marine mammal species.
Meet Our Team
Whale lovers of the world unite! Meet the awesome people behind our nonprofit.
Be sure to contact us if you are interested in hopping aboard!
Jodi Smith
Founder
Ms. Smith has spent the past 28 years studying the J, K and L killer whale pods that make up the Southern Resident population of the Pacific Northwest. Her research on vessel effects on killer whale behavior and habitat use helped to aid policy makers with the 2005 Federal endangered listing status of this population under the US Endangered Species Act.
Jillian Surdilla
Board Director
Ms. Surdilla is a third year at UC Berkeley pursuing a major in Psychology and minor in Marine Science. In her third year of university, she realized she could no longer ignore her life-long passion for marine mammal conservation. Wielding her interest in outreach and public relations, she hopes to use her work as a means to spread awareness on killer whale endangerment.
Bill Powers
Board Chairman
Mr. Powers was born and raised in California's northern Sierra Nevada mountains. He is a community influencer extraordinaire, educator, writer, former wildland fire-fighter, and an avid supporter of Naked Whale Research.
Keara Jagath
Secretary
Ms. Jagath is a third-year finance and accounting student. Driven by a deep-rooted interest in marine conservation and a desire to make a positive impact on the environment, she has chosen to step out of the traditional finance sphere and volunteer at Nawhare, where she applies her analytical skills in a new and meaningful context. This unconventional choice reflects her commitment to exploring diverse fields and making a tangible difference beyond the world of finance.
