With support from the Julia R. Brown Education and Research Award, Maya Prunty (MAS MBC ‘26) traveled to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to attend Sharks International, a global conference bringing together researchers, conservation professionals, educators, and policymakers focused on sharks and rays. The experience deepened her understanding of how climate change, habitat shifts, and human impacts are shaping shark conservation worldwide, while also helping her connect her own capstone research to broader questions in shark science. Through the conference, Maya strengthened her commitment to combining research, education, and science communication to support shark conservation and healthier oceans.
Attending the conference Sharks International in Colombo, Sri Lanka, was an incredible and meaningful opportunity that supported my growth as a graduate student, emerging shark researcher, and science communicator. The purpose of this activity was to attend an international conference focused on shark and ray research, conservation, management, climate impacts, and education. With over 800 attendees from 84 countries, the conference created a global space to learn from researchers, conservation professionals, students, educators, and policymakers working to better understand and protect sharks and rays.
This experience deepened my understanding of the current issues facing sharks, especially in relation to climate change and conservation. Throughout the conference, I attended presentations that discussed warming ocean temperatures, shifting species distributions, habitat changes, fisheries interactions, and the need for conservation strategies that can adapt as ocean conditions continue to change. I learned that climate change does not impact sharks in one simple way. Instead, it creates connected pressures that can affect where sharks live, how they move, how they interact with people, and how they are managed. Hearing from researchers working across different regions helped me see shark conservation as both a global issue and one that requires local, community-based solutions.
The conference also helped me connect my own research interests to larger conversations in the field. My capstone project focuses on latitudinal variation in brain region proportions in the Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae. While my project is centered on neuroecology and spatial variation, Sharks International helped me think more deeply about how environmental differences may influence shark biology and ecology. Many of the talks focused on how sharks respond to changing environments, which gave me a stronger framework for thinking about why spatial variation matters and how my work may contribute to broader questions in shark science.
One of the most valuable parts of this experience was the professional development. I was able to meet and speak with shark scientists, conservation professionals, students, and educators from around the world. These conversations gave me a better understanding of the different career paths within shark science and conservation and helped me feel more connected to the field.
The most striking aspect of the experience was seeing how global and interconnected shark conservation truly is. Even though people were presenting research from different oceans, countries, and species, many of the same concerns came up repeatedly: climate change, overfishing, habitat degradation, public misunderstanding, and the need for stronger conservation action. Being in a space with over 800 attendees from 84 countries made it clear that many people are working toward similar goals from different perspectives. It also reminded me that shark conservation requires both strong science and strong communication.
This opportunity strengthened my commitment to combining shark research with conservation, education, and outreach. While science is essential, and many incredible scientists are working to better understand sharks, research alone is not enough. Sharks also need conservation action, public support, and effective communication that helps people understand why they matter. One of my goals is to help bridge that gap by making shark science more accessible, especially to younger students and communities that may not always see themselves represented in marine science.
I am taking several things from this experience into my future career. I am leaving with a deeper understanding of the climate-related challenges facing sharks, a stronger appreciation for collaboration, and a renewed commitment to science communication. I want my future work to not only contribute to shark research but also help people better understand why sharks matter, how they are being affected by climate change, and why their conservation is important for healthy oceans.
The activity also supported outcomes connected to my graduate work. I plan to integrate what I learned at Sharks International into my capstone project and final presentation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I also hope to share reflections from the experience through professional and educational outreach, including social media and LinkedIn posts focused on shark research, climate change education, and representation in marine science.
Overall, attending Sharks International was a pivotal experience at this stage in my graduate career. I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Julia R. Brown Education and Research Award which made it possible for me to learn from experts, build professional connections, participate in a hands-on workshop, and continue growing as a researcher, educator, and advocate for sharks and our oceans.
Blog content and images provided by Maya Prunty – thank you!