Researchers investigate for Shark Week

FIU researchers dive into the world of sharks and volcanoes this week during Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. Mike Heithaus, marine scientist and dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education stars in Devil Sharks, which airs at 10 p.m., Wednesday, July 26, on Discovery. He is joined by FIU post-doctoral researcher Jeremy Kiszka, research analyst Kirk Gastrich and Ph.D. candidate Frances Farabaugh. Learn more >>

You’re Invited: Shark Week 2017
Premiering Wednesday, July 16 at 10:00 PM EST,Devil Sharks looks at the surprising relationship between sharks and volcanoes off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. It follows last year’s Sharks vs. Dolphins: Face Off. Learn more >>

But you don’t have to wait until Wednesday! On Sunday, July 23rd at 4pm at The Tank Brewing Co. in Miami, take a peak behind the scenes of a Shark Week documentary and get all your questions answered before the first film airs. For more details >>

Officials in the Dominican Republic are working with Global FinPrint researchers to guide their conservation efforts in the wake of a national ban on shark and ray fishing. The resolution recently issued by the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources permanently bans fishing and trading of all species of sharks and rays. Learn more >>

Oceans cover 70% of our world and produce much of the oxygen we breathe. They provide food and jobs for people around globe. Yet they remain mostly mysterious. Only a fraction of these vast waters has been explored, and much of the underwater world is little understood.

The lab is operated by Florida International University (FIU), though it’s also used by NASA, the US Navy, and researchers and educators from around the globe. Tech Insider spoke with Mike Heithaus, a marine scientist and dean of the FIU College of Arts, Sciences & Education, to get an inside look at what it’s like inside the only permanent lab in the world’s oceans. More information >>

As humans continue to alter the number of predators living in the oceans through overfishing and other activities, their prey and other parts of the marine ecosystem are also indirectly impacted, according to a new study published in Global Change Biology in October. Specifically, by altering the numbers, distribution and behavior of predators, humans can influence the prey’s ability to respond to threats and its chance of being killed by a predator. More information >>

FIU’s College of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael Heithaus testified before the House Committee on Agriculture in a hearing titled “Research Innovations from Our Nation’s Agricultural Colleges and Universities” Sept. 29. The Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research hosted the hearing and was interested in Heithaus’ take on building greater capacity at Hispanic-serving institutions through the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) programs. More information >>

WLRN’s Topical Currents hosted Florida International University deans, Mike Heithaus (College of Arts & Sciences) and Brian Schriner (College of Architecture and The Arts), to discuss higher education, the acronym of “STEM”:  That’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and the push to broaden the focus to include the arts, also known as STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to enhance the performance of students and researchers. More information >>

FIU researchers have teamed up with conservationist and TV personality Jeff Corwin to share their mission of protecting the Florida Everglades on the latest installment of “Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin.”

The episode, titled “The Predators of Shark River,” will bring viewers face-to-face with the Everglades’ most important predators, including bull sharks, snook and the American alligator. It will air 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 23 on ABC. More information>>