Close
Close
Search this website

Mike Heithaus

Shark Expert and Explorer

Mike Heithaus is a globally recognized marine predator expert, explorer and educator. He has dedicated his career to improving the world's understanding of sharks and advocating for their meaningful conservation. As a child growing up in the cornfields of Ohio, he was first introduced to the wonders of the oceans while visiting family in Florida. Today, Dr. Heithaus is passionate about sharing the excitement and inspiration of the oceans with people of all ages wherever they are in the world.

Visit Mike Heithaus' research profile

Languages Spoken

English

Request more info

Suggested Speaker Programs

Conservation Science: Where Inspiration Meets Impact

A global leader in shark and marine predator conservation, Dr. Mike Heithaus has dedicated his career to understanding sharks and the ecological roles they play in healthy oceans. He delves beyond shark lore, offering inspiring stories of why the world needs sharks and what people can do to help protect them.

From the Cornfields of Ohio to Shark Bay, Australia

How does someone who grew up in landlocked Ohio end up in a career surrounded by sharks? Some luck, a lot of hard work and endless curiousity! Mike Heithaus's career plan was to become a biologist. Little did he know, he would host his own television series on National Geographic, travel the world studying the oceans' largest predators, conduct research that would advance international conservation policy, become one of the youngest academic deans in FIU's history and star in highly rated shows on Shark Fest and Shark Week. Inspiring and often witty, Dr. Heithaus offers insight into what it means to turn inspiration into impact.

Bite to Byte: the Intersection of Sharks and Tech

Dr. Mike Heithaus shares how he and other FIU researchers are pushing the limits of technology and finding innovative ways to uncover the secrets of sharks. Have you ever wondered what would happen if sharks disappeared from our oceans? Where do they go during a hurricane? Can you tell the difference between species just by looking at a bite pattern? Dr. Heithaus offers insight into how researchers are using technology to answer these questions and more.

In Action

 

About Dr. Mike Heithaus

Mike Heithaus is executive dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at FIU. 

A marine ecologist, Heithaus specializes in predator-prey interactions and the ecological importance of sharks and other large marine species. His research leverages a number of cutting-edge technologies, including drones and animal-borne cameras, to unravel the mysterious lives of hard-to-study marine creatures. His work in Shark Bay Australia is the most detailed study of the ecological role of sharks in the world. Working with several prominent non-governmental organizations, it has been used as the underpinning for affecting positive policy changes. He has authored or co-authored hundreds of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and co-edited multiple books on the biology of sharks and their relatives. He also has co-written two high school science textbooks and is an author on national K-8 science programs. Prior to being named executive dean, he served as director of the Marine Sciences Program and executive director of the School of Environment, Arts and Society.

Heithaus is an Explorers Club fellow, member of the Science Advisory Committee for Pew Environment’s Global Shark Program, serves as the associate editor of Frontiers in Marine Science, and is an inaugural member of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida board of directors. He also serves on the Zoo Miami Foundation Board of Directors and chairs the Education Committee.

Prior to joining FIU, Heithaus was a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research. He also worked with National Geographic’s Remote Imaging Department where he conducted studies using their “Crittercam.” Heithaus has been involved in the production of more than 30 natural history documentaries, including many featured on National Geographic’s Shark Fest as well as Shark Week.  He also hosted National Geographic Channel’s Crittercamtelevision series. He has dedicated his career to bringing the excitement of scientific exploration and discovery to audiences of all ages. He received a B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College in 1995 and completed his Ph.D. at Simon Fraser University in 2001.

Explore Dr. Heithaus' CV

 

 

Fun Facts

Mike Heithaus is a member of the Oberlin College Athletics Hall of Fame and one of the most decorated swimmers in the school's history. He is an amateur Australian-rules football player and has coached his kids' baseball and softball teams.

Book a speaker

To book this speaker or request more information, please email  chcalvo@fiu.edu