Paul Nachtigall is arguably the premier researcher in marine mammal auditory physiology. His 55-year (so far) career produced 226 research publications on sensory systems of aquatic mammals, ranging from clawed otters to polar bears with decades of live animal research on perhaps more odontocete species than any other scientist. Paul is the leader in marine mammal hearing measures via auditory evoked potentials (AEP), collaborating with colleagues in California and Hawaii and internationally with notable scientists including Bertel Møhl, Annemarie Surlykke, Vladimir Popov, and Alexander Supin, producing novel discoveries on sound paths, gain control, and acuity. Paul shared his knowledge through workshops also on AEP techniques. I was privileged to attend one and to observe the research underway at HIMB. It was exhilarating. It also led to the realization I could not pursue AEP at my home institution. Reluctantly, I settled for imaging and modelling, with the compensation of addressing aging, noise impacts, and the biomechanics of hearing in large whales—but frankly, his work is more fun. The hallmarks of Paul’s pioneering work are innovation, exactitude, and integrity. That plus mentoring legions of students and his leadership in marine mammal science are the foundations of exemplary legacy.
Darlene R. Ketten (2025) studied this question.