Marine biology graduate student Bianca Prohaska studies tiger sharks in Bahamas

Bianca Prohaska, a graduate student studying marine biology at the 51品茶, is currently analyzing plasma steroid hormones of tiger sharks in the Fish Lab of Associate Professor James Sulikowski, Ph.D., on the Biddeford Campus.

In December, Prohaska was selected by Dr. Sulikowski to embark on a weeklong research mission in the Bahamas to collect plasma steroid hormones from blood, fin samples, and ultrasound images from ten female tiger sharks.

Prohaska has committed her graduate studies to finding effective ways to study the life patterns of various sharks, skates, and rays without having to sacrifice the fish.

"Elasmobranches [sharks, skates and rays] are severely threatened because very little is known about their biology," Prohaska explained. "By studying their reproduction I hope to promote awareness of these unique organisms and aid in conservation efforts."

After the captured sharks were fitted with a satellite tag, the research team was able to release the sharks in a healthy condition.

Preliminary results are promising, and another research trip has already been scheduled for this summer.

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