What’s your name and job title?
John Hlavin, PhD student in the University of Miami Rosenstiel School Shark Research and Conservation Lab
What does your role entail and why is it important for oceans and coastlines?
As a shark research and PhD student, my role is generate novel research for the advancement of scientific understanding and conservation of sharks, rays, and other predatory fish.
This work is particularly important for sharks, which as a group has seen dramatic declines the hands of humanity over the past 50 years. My work specifically focuses on a Critically Endangered species, the great hammerhead, and its dependence on South Florida’s Biscayne Bay as a nursery habitat for juveniles.
To do this research, I split my time between shark fishing fieldwork to collect samples, the lab to process samples, and my office to analyze the data and write up the findings.
What advice would you give someone wanting to start a career like yours?
Be flexible! Have goals and dreams to drive you but don’t say no to open doors just because the opportunity doesn’t seem to be exactly what you want to do.
Research experience can be hard to come by and so any opportunity is extremely valuable, and who knows, maybe it may cause your dream to develop or mature further.
Plus a diversity of experiences makes you a valuable multifaceted candidate for future positions.
What skills are important for your job?
Personality: determination, grit, persistence, flexibility, self-motivation, independence, coachable
Practical: writing, statistics, attention-to-detail, organization, comfort and familiarity with fieldwork and labwork
What do you enjoy most about your work? And what do you dislike?
I love my work for a huge list of reasons but a couple include: fieldwork and interacting with incredible animals that I am ever in awe of and being autonomous and having the freedom to plan my days as I want.
I dislike my work at times because maintaining a proper and healthy work/life balance can be difficult thanks to an every insurmountable to-do list.
Where can people learn more about you?
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Glossary:
Cartilaginous Fish
Cartilaginous fish are a class of fish known for having skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone. This group, scientifically called Chondrichthyes, includes sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras. Cartilage is lighter and more flexible than bone, giving these fish an advantage in swimming efficiency and maneuverability.
Bony Fish
Bony fish, or Osteichthyes, are a class of fish with skeletons primarily composed of bone rather than cartilage. They make up the largest group of fish and are found in a wide range of aquatic environments, from freshwater rivers and lakes to the deep sea. Most familiar fish species, like salmon, trout, and goldfish, are bony fish.
Nursery Habitat
A nursery habitat is a specific area where juvenile fish (larvae or young individuals) grow and develop before moving to adult habitats. These areas provide food, shelter, and protection from predators, giving young fish a higher chance of survival. Nursery habitats are crucial for sustaining fish populations and maintaining ecosystem balance.
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