Dean's update

Big sharks equal big impact, but there's a big problem

Shark conservation must go beyond simply protecting shark populations — it must prioritize protecting the ecological roles of sharks, according to new research.
 
The largest sharks of many of the biggest species, such as tiger sharks and great whites, play an oversized role in healthy oceans, but they are often the most affected by fishing. The big sharks help maintain balance through their eating habits. Sometimes their sheer size is enough to scare away prey that could over-consume plant life needed for healthy oceans. Sharks can also help shape and maintain balance from the bottom-up. That means a variety of sharks are needed in ecosystems, yet their many and diverse contributions to ocean health are under threat from overfishing, climate change, habitat loss, energy mining, shipping activities and more. The study, led by FIU, sheds new light on what role sharks play in healthy oceans and why size should be a factor in conservation decisions.

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FIU researcher receives prestigious PECASE award

STEM education expert Remi Dou received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.

Dou is in search of a moment: The moment a person first sees themselves as a scientist. It’s a moment that can be so elusive because typically, it’s based on little somethings that happen over time. A conversation here. A book read there. A TV show seen at the right time. Putting a finger on something so ephemeral could lead to understanding why students choose to major in science or not.

An assistant professor in the STEM Transformation Institute, Dou also leads the Talking Science Research & Development Group which focuses on investigating how family science conversations support the development of children’s STEM identities.

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