Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 12/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi!

I am a senior in high school in LA and I am very interested in going into the Marine Biology field.  I have been doing some research for a senior project and I found this website; so I decided to ask a question too! I am extremely interested in sharks and I want to work with them more than I do anything else.  I am curious about what classes I need to take in college, etc.. I have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in high school already.  Is there any certain profession that I must go into so I will be eligible to work with sharks? Or is Marine Biology enough? Please help!

ANSWER: Dear Ashley,

Marine Biology is an excellent major for anyone who would like to work with sharks.  The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has a new undergraduate program in Marine Science that might interest you.  And one of the faculty there, Dr. Samuel Gruber, happens to be a world-renowned shark expert:

http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/divs/mbf/People/Faculty/Gruber/

RSMAS even has a program specifically designed for undergraduates and graduate students who are interested in shark biology and conservation.  You can visit their web site here:

http://cufer.rsmas.miami.edu/wordpress/?page_id=105

You're well on your way to preparing yourself with the classes you've taken so far in high school.  You'll be taking more biology, chemistry and physics once you're in college, but the specific courses will depend on the degree program you choose.

If the RSMAS program sounds interesting to you, I'd suggest you contact their Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Dan Diresta.  If you write to me at dana@miami.edu I can give you his email address.

Hope this helps!  Good luck with your goals!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again.

Thank you for responding to my question as quick as you did! There is only one problem that I seem to have; the schooling.  As much as I would love to go to The University of Miami, I cannot because I cannot afford the out of state tuition.  Since I live in Louisiana, I have been looking at Nicholls State, University of New Orleans, and Louisiana State University; those are the only three colleges in Louisiana that I know have marine biology as a major. But, is there any way that I can e-mail this shark expert, Dr. Samuel Gruber? I would love to hear from him and see what he has to say and if he has any advice for me.

Thanks a ton!

Answer
Dear Ashley,

You can email Dr. Gruber directly from his web site.  I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from a fellow shark-lover!  

Did you check out the web sites I sent you?  The shark project web site indicates that there are summer programs for undergraduates in shark research.  Even if you can't come to Miami for school, you might be able to get a summer internship, perhaps even for transfer credit.

Good luck in your quest!

Dana