Shark Month: Meet Marine Biologist & Author Carlee Jackson

Carlee researches how human activities affect shark behavior, and also helps protect sea turtle nests along Florida’s beaches. Carlee is co-founder and Director of Communications for Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), an organization promoting diversity and inclusivity in shark sciences. She is passionate about marine biology and loves everything about the ocean!

Follow Carlee on INSTAGRAM or check out her WEBSITE

Carlee snorkeling with nurse sharks

1. What is your favorite shark and why? 

My top 3 sharks are the mako shark, epaulette shark and the nurse shark at the top! Nurse sharks were my first study animal and one of the first sharks I ever worked with so they have a special place in my heart. I also love the spunk they have, how hardy and tough they are, and their cute faces!

2. What started your interest in sharks?

My interest in sharks began with a book on sharks. I was about 6 years old and I remember seeing a book at a book fair with a picture of a shark on it, and something told me that I NEEDED to read that book. Once I read it, I thought sharks were the most incredible animals I’d ever learned about. I loved that there were so many different species of sharks that came in many shapes and colors!

3. You wrote a children's book, can you tell us a little about that experience? What was the best part?

MORE INFO ABOUT THE BOOK

Carlee with her book

4. Can you tell us a little about your shark research? 

I’m very interested in the effects of ecotourism on wildlife. My research has looked at the impact of feeding tourism on nurse sharks, specifically in Belize. That research involved me being in the water with nurse sharks almost daily, and recording their behavior during feeding events. I observed that the nurse sharks showed various swimming behaviors depending on the tourism activities that occurred. Nurse sharks are an important part of the food chain within the coral reef systems that they inhabit, and it’s very important to understand how activities, like feeding tourism, are impacting these sharks and their environment.

Carlee drawing blood credit: Field School

5. You are one of the founders of MISS, can you tell us a bit about the organization?

Minorities in Shark Sciences, or MISS for short, was founded to break barriers that make it hard for some people (specifically people of color) to become Shark scientists. We wanted to make it easier for others to get into the field of shark science because it can be a very difficult and expensive field to navigate! Our organization provides programs that focus on education, outreach, field research skills and research collaboration in shark science. Our programs are completely free of cost to eliminate financial barriers that prevent some people from entering this field. 

The MISS co-founders

6. What is one thing you wish everyone knew about sharks?

I wish everyone knew that sharks can be so adorable and cute! To convince others, I will show people pictures of bonnet head sharks, epaulette sharks and baby nurse sharks.