Samuel “Doc”Gruber, professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, executive director, Bimini Biological Field Station
Office: (305) 421-4146
Email: sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/divs/mbf/People/Faculty/Gruber/

For more than 30 years, Dr. Gruber has studied the biology and behavior of a variety of shark species. His research has focused on anatomy, physiology and psychophysics of the visual system of the lemon shark. In addition to characterizing basic functions of the shark eye, his research team has developed some unique training techniques to communicate with our shark subjects. Following this, he expanded his research to field-oriented, ecological framework with the objective of quantitatively defining the role of the shark in a tropical marine ecosystem. Presently, He is producing a predictive, mathematical model of the lemon shark based on the bioenergetics of the juvenile stages. This theoretical exercise is expected to suggest a series of hypotheses which will form the basis of future research projects. He collaborates with SharkDefense to evaluate a chemical shark repellent.

Ellen K. Pikitch, Ph.D., professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Executive Director, Pew Institute for Ocean Science
Office: (212) 756-0042
Email: epikitch@rsmas.miami.edu

Dr. Pikitch is an international expert in global conservation, monitoring and assessment of large coastal pelagic fish including: sharks, bluetin tuna, billfish and beluga sturgeon. Her research has focused on the assessment of fish stocks, the management of bycatch, and various issues facing mixed-species fisheries. Her work influenced the passage of the U.S. Shark Finning Prohibition Act.

Dr. Pikitch has convened international conferences, led several major oceanic field expeditions, and directed a variety of quantitative fisheries assessment projects. For the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Pikitch has been a member of committees on Dolphin Mortality from Tuna Fishing, Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Marine Fisheries, and Cooperative Research Between Industry and the National Marine Fisheries Service. In 2000, Dr. Pikitch served on President Clinton’s Panel on Ocean Exploration. Currently she is the Vice Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Sturgeon Specialist Group.

Elizabeth A. Babcock, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Chief Scientist, Pew Institute for Ocean Science
Office: (305) 421-4852
Email: ebabcock@rsmas.miami.edu
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/divs/mbf/People/Faculty/Babcock/

Dr. Babcock’s research focuses on fisheries data analysis and stock assessments and improving the treatment of scientific uncertainty in management decision making. She co-developed a model to evaluate the sustainability of a fishery, called a Bayesian surplus production (BSP) model and applied it to large coastal sharks, swordfish, and white marlin, for which abundance data are often lacking. An additional research interest includes ecosystem-based fishery management, particularly the problem of how to develop quantitative indicators to measure the success of closed areas, harvest controls and other fishery management measures in an ecosystem context.

Robert K. Cowen, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Marine Biology and Fisheries, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Office: (305) 421-4023
Email: rcowen@rsmas.miami.edu
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/divs/mbf/People/Faculty/Cowen/

Dr. Cowen studies on the ecology and life history of fishes, particularly the early life history of fishes. His research examines the larval dynamics, population replenishment and connectivity of fish which are important perimeters for natural resource management decisions. His research has been conducted on both reef-related and pelagic species throughout the Caribbean, along the East Coast of the US, California and Mexico.

Neil Hammershlag, graduate student, Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Office: (305) 421-4356
Email: nhammerschlag@rsmas.miami.edu

Neil’s research focuses on foraging behavior and ecology of marine predators, particularly sharks, and how they interact with their prey and the physical environment. He has conducted extensive field work on great white sharks in South Africa. His dissertation research focuses on the ecological role of sharks, in order to evaluate the impacts of current shark removals by fishing on ecosystem structure and function.