Sharks Play Vital Role in Ocean Recovery
#StableShark
Sharks Play Vital Role in Ocean Recovery
#StableShark
Research Terms
Dr. Mike Heithaus is an ecologist known for his work on predator-prey interactions, especially in oceans. His research has advanced our understanding the behavior, ecology and diverse and important roles that sharks, marine mammals and sea turtles play in ecosystems. He and colleagues have also been at the forefront of developing and deploying novel technologies including animals worn by animals in the ocean and on land. He is an author on more than 240 scientific publications, co-editor of five books, and has been involved in more than 30 grant proposals as PI and coPI totaling over $30 million in funding. He is an Explorers Club fellow and a member of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida where he served as an inaugural member of its board of directors.
Mike is also a host and on-camera scientist – and sometimes co-producer – for natural history documentaries. He has appeared in more than 40 shows, including many on National Geographic/Disney+ SharkFest and Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. He makes regular appearances on local, national, and international news to talk to the public about sharks and ocean conservation. He has also developed K-12 education materials and authored supplemental science programs that bring real research into the classroom that have impacted millions of students. His public talks cover diverse topics from sharks, marine mammals and sea turtles to ocean exploration, his adventures in science and film and training teachers in using video-based projects for inspiring, engaging and educating students.
Mike received his BA in Biological Sciences from Oberlin College (1995) and PhD from Simon Fraser University (2001). He was a postdoctoral scientist and staff scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory and worked for the Remote Imaging Laboratory at National Geographic before joining Florida International University in 2003. He now serves as vice provost of Environmental Resilience and the Biscayne Bay Campus, executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and professor of Biological Sciences at FIU.
Dr. Mike Heithaus is an ecologist known for his work on predator-prey interactions, especially in oceans. His research has advanced our understanding the behavior, ecology and diverse and important roles that sharks, marine mammals and sea turtles play in ecosystems. He and colleagues have also been at the forefront of developing and deploying novel technologies including animals worn by animals in the ocean and on land. He is an author on more than 240 scientific publications, co-editor of five books, and has been involved in more than 30 grant proposals as PI and coPI totaling over $30 million in funding. He is an Explorers Club fellow and a member of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida where he served as an inaugural member of its board of directors.
Mike is also a host and on-camera scientist – and sometimes co-producer – for natural history documentaries. He has appeared in more than 40 shows, including many on National Geographic/Disney+ SharkFest and Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. He makes regular appearances on local, national, and international news to talk to the public about sharks and ocean conservation. He has also developed K-12 education materials and authored supplemental science programs that bring real research into the classroom that have impacted millions of students. His public talks cover diverse topics from sharks, marine mammals and sea turtles to ocean exploration, his adventures in science and film and training teachers in using video-based projects for inspiring, engaging and educating students.
Mike received his BA in Biological Sciences from Oberlin College (1995) and PhD from Simon Fraser University (2001). He was a postdoctoral scientist and staff scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory and worked for the Remote Imaging Laboratory at National Geographic before joining Florida International University in 2003. He now serves as vice provost of Environmental Resilience and the Biscayne Bay Campus, executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and professor of Biological Sciences at FIU.
Speaker Topics
Conservation Dolphins Inspiring K-12 Audiences Marine Mammals Nature Documentaries Ocean Exploration Oceans Science Education Sea Turtles Sharks Whales
Target Audiences
Adults Elementary School High School Middle School
Fee Range
