Hello, my name is Desiree Zhuk and I am a masters student at San Francisco State University, under the Hines Lab. With a hope for future reintroduction of a key species, I am studying the prey accessibility of Southern sea otters in low anthropogenic risk areas within San Francisco Bay. Outside of my research and studies, I use illustration to inspire others for the care of our oceans.

I have been recently working with The Marine Mammal Center on their “Meet The Whales” webpage as well as working with some of their animal behavior scientists on some scientific illustrations for their work that is to be published soon. There is also a physical interpretive sign that I have collaborated on with SFSU’s icthyology lab on leopard shark and bat ray research in Half Moon Bay, the sign itself is currently in production. I have previously worked with MISS Elasmo on scientific illustrations and educational course material for middleschoolers, highschoolers, and family groups, as part of the Gill Guardians program. I have also worked with the Marine Science Institute in Redwood City as a marine biology instructor and have volunteered at multiple institutions such as Monterey Bay Aquarium, Long Marine Lab, and Bodega Bay Marine Labs, often providing illustrations on top of my usual duties.

My most recent artworks are closer to the top.