People

I received my B.S from Western Illinois University with a major in Zoology. From there I moved west where I received my MSc from San Francisco State University, where I studied gene expression during development of pectoral and pelvic fins of the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea). I started my PhD in 2018 with a focus on bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and genetic relatedness between different nursery habitats.

I earned my Bachelors and Master’s degrees in biology at Florida Atlantic University. I first was an undergraduate researcher in the Elasmobranch Research Lab under Dr. Stephen Kajiura where I worked on my undergrad project on the sexual dimorphism in the dentition of the pelagic stingray. Later I received my master’s degree also under Dr. Kajiura studying the effects of crude oil on olfaction and electroreception in elasmobranchs. Currently I am a Ph.D. student studying elasmobranch local adaptation by applying molecular ecology techniques. Specifically, I am using the MHC immune genes to determine environmental adaptability and evolution of the tiger shark, sharpnose shark, Cuban dogfish shark, and Genie’s dogfish. 

I received my B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Maryland, College Park where I worked as a lab technician in the entomology department. I always knew I wanted to work in conservation and was fascinated by the ocean, which brought me to Florida Tech. I am a graduate student in the Conservation Technology Master's program and am currently working in the Shark Conservation Lab on a research project studying deep water snappers in Honduras and Belize, looking at their phylogeography to guide fisheries decisions.

I'm a junior at Florida Tech majoring in marine biology. I'm originally from Columbus Ohio, and I've loved sharks for as long as I can remember! This is my second year in the Shark Conservation Lab, and I was trained on Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) microsatellites. I am now working with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on a new method for non-invasive DNA extraction, involving extracting DNA from scrubby sponges that were tied to poles and rubbed on White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) to collect DNA.

Hey, I’m Kieran, and I’m in the class of 2025 at FIT. I’m from North Carolina, where I gained much interest in marine biology. There, I worked as an education volunteer in the state aquarium and competed on my school’s marine science bowl team. Despite the opportunities locally, I came to FIT because of the positions offered to undergrads, specifically through research. I’m assisting with a project on white shark DNA extractions from sponge wipe samples.

Hello! My name is Dylan Gore, and currently I'm a sophomore at Florida Tech studying marine biology. I was born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois. This is my first year working in the lab starting in Fall 2022 and I am currently working on the white shark sponge team. Marine life has consumed most of my life so I'm ecstatic to be working in the lab with everyone and learning from them!

Hi, I’m originally from Anchorage, Alaska but moved to Florida to study Astrobiology. I am currently working with eDNA in Dr. Eble’s lab, categorizing and analyzing different fish DNA to understand better a variety of species in local streams and ponds.

I am a transfer sophomore student. I found out about Florida Tech while doing a project about shark research, I saw professor Toby was part of the research team that found a new species of dogfish shark, this immediately caught my attention and I decided to transfer to Florida tech in the Fall of 2019. I am so excited to be working alongside this amazing woman in science. I have learned so much in the past couple of months, everyone in the lab is amazing and they all teach me new things weekly.

I’m majoring in genomics and molecular genetics and am relatively new to the shark conservation lab. My main interest is in genetics. Currently I’m currently working on identifying a shark DNA sample and also on an immunogenetics project with Eloise. Even though I’m new, it didn’t take me long to figure out that sharks are super cool!

My name is Emily Critelli, and I graduated with my Bachelors in Ecology and Environmental Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. During my time as an undergraduate, I was most interested in researching aquatic systems which led me to Florida Tech. I am a graduate student in the Conservation Technology MS program and started working in the Shark Conservation Lab in fall 2021. I am analyzing literature publications on environmental DNA (eDNA) preservation methods and techniques as well as learning the process of DNA extraction and analysis in the lab.

My name is Jasmine Hall and I am from McLean, Virginia.  I started at Florida Tech in 2018 and I am majoring in marine biology and aquaculture and fisheries. I am a work study student in the Shark Conversation Lab and I started spring 2019. During the fall 2019 term I studied abroad and once I returned Dr. Toby welcomed me back into the lab. I am currently working on the restoration of the fish collection project with my fellow colleagues.

Originally from Milton Keynes, England. I started my undergraduate bachelor's degree in General Biology at Florida Tech in 2017 and am currently a senior with a predicted graduation date of May 2021. I joined the Shark Conservation lab fall 2020 and am currently undergoing training in the lab. I love the hands-on learning experience this lab provides and look forward to learning more about shark genetics as I have always been fascinated by the ocean and the creatures it beholds.

Hi there! My name is Morgan Johnson, and I am originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am a transfer student pursuing my undergrad in marine biology. I started in the lab in the fall of 2021, and have learned so much already in my short time of being here. I love everything about the ocean and hope to one day inspire others to want to save our oceans as well.

I am a senior working on my bachelors degree in Biomedical sciences. As a surfer growing up here in Brevard, marine science has always been a part of my interest. I am new to the Shark lab and eager to jump into some exciting projects!

My name is Carly McCall and I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I came to Florida Tech in 2016 and am a senior studying marine biology and genomics & molecular biology. I have been a member of the undergraduate research team in the Shark Conservation Lab since 2018, and my research is currently focused on using genetics to discover the cryptic diversity and phylogeny of deep-water dogfish sharks.

I am currently a senior working on my bachelors in marine biology at Florida Tech. I have been working in the Shark Conservation Lab since spring of 2019. I have worked on a few projects in this lab, I am currently working with Carcharhinus leucas (Bull shark) microsatellites and Galeocerdo cuvier (Tiger shark) mitochondrial DNA.

I’m a junior majoring in marine biology with a minor in sustainability. I’ve been conducting undergrad research in this lab since Fall 2018. My current project consists of identifying genetic relatedness among white sharks using samples that Dr. Toby collected from Baja, California. My research focuses on the mitochondrial DNA but I also help Ken with the microsatellites. We presented at the Northrop Grumman Student Design Showcase in Spring 2019 and our project won Best in Show for Marine Biology and Oceanography. In the future, I would like to continue working with genetics.

Hello my name is Oscar Kay I’m a sophomore majoring in marine biology and am a senior work study student in the lab. I love the ocean and do whatever I can to work out in the field because that’s where my true passion lies.

Originally from Maryland, I have been migrating south down the Atlantic coast. I obtained a B.S. in Marine Science with a minor in Biology from Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Now at FIT in Florida, I am currently on track towards a M.S. in Conservation Technology and am working on a state-funded project conducting preliminary biodiversity data in the Indian River Lagoon, mainly concerning the Banana River. I hope to use what I have learned over the years to obtain a profession within academia that allows me to teach future generations about ocean conservation and why it’s so important. 

I am originally from Schwenksville, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. I went to Allegheny College in Meadville, PA where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Spanish. While there I completed a senior thesis looking into two freshwater fishes (Etheostoma caeruleum and Semotilus atromaculatus) and the impact a man made marsh had on their genetic connectivity. After Allegheny, I went to Pensacola, FL to obtain my Master of Science in Biology under Dr. Toby at the University of West Florida. My thesis work focused on the genetic connectivity and relatedness of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) between the Gulf of Mexico and North West Atlantic. During my time in Dr. Toby's lab I was able to go offshore longlining with several of our collaborators where I was able to sample my study species and aid in other research projects. Also in Pensacola, I met my now husband. We currently live in Virginia Beach, VA with our dog and cat. I am an educator at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center as well as an adjunct professor at Virginia Wesleyan University. Dr. Toby and I are also working on getting the tiger shark research published in a peer reviewed journal.

I am from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. I am a senior studying Genomics and Molecular Genetics. I joined the Conservation Genetics lab in Summer 2021. Currently, I am working with Dr. Eble to develop an eDNA-based single-species barcoding procedure for Malaclemys terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin), a vulnerable species native to Florida.

My name is Adam Bach. I am from central New York and majoring in Marine Biology and Biochemistry. I began working in this lab in the spring semester of my junior year. I am working with Dr. Eble to establish a developed database of fish not sequenced in the Indian River Lagoon using DNA barcoding.

I am from outside of Houston, Texas, majoring in marine biology. This is my first year in the lab, and I am currently working with Dr. Eble on the eDNA team. I have been fascinated with marine life, especially sharks, for as long as I can remember, and I am very excited to work alongside and learn from such dedicated lab members!

 I am a biology major but am interested in marine biology. When I heard it was a shark conservation lab, I was interested to find out what they did and what the lab looked like. The project I’m working on is sequencing the MHC class 1 and 2 genes in sandbar sharks.