1. Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza
Ocean First Institute
3015 Bluff Street
Boulder, Colorado 80301
Mikki@oceanfirstinstitute.org
(303) 956-7885
I am a seasoned and well-trained marine biologist who is passionate about marine ecosystem conservation
and restoration. I have scientifically evaluated impacts to marine resources from ecosystem to organism.
My work has been published in peer reviewed journals and textbooks. I am technically adept in literature
review, consolidation of complex datasets and data analysis. I am a highly effective communicator who
has been featured on National Geographic, the BBC and Discovery Channel, in addition to international
conferences, invited seminars and lecture series. I am an efficient manager of time, materials and people
and understand the value of work excellence and client satisfaction. I have developed and won numerous
grants and successfully managed and completed these projects. I am currently responsible for controlling
budgets, fiscal accounting and projections, as well as fundraising, managing clients, pursing business
development and leading international science expeditions. I am a self-motivated, team-oriented marine
science professional with a vast experience and keen interest in marine resource conservation.
EDUCATION
2009 Florida Atlantic University; Ph. D. in Marine Biology. Dissertation title: Visual Adaptations of
Sharks, Skates and Rays. Advisor: Dr. Stephen Kajiura
2004 Florida International University; M. Sc. in Marine Biology. Thesis title: Geographic Variation in
Maternal Provisioning of Thyroid Hormones in Egg Yolk of Embryonic Bonnethead Sharks
(Sphyrna tiburo). Advisor: Dr. Christopher Brown
2000 Florida International University; B. Sc. in Biology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Executive Director
Ocean First Institute, Boulder, CO
October 2014-Present
Develop and administer all programs to include Blue certified sustainability eco-certification program,
scientific research program, youth outreach and youth scientific expeditions program. Lead international
expeditionary travel. Founded Ocean First Explorers Club, 175 Skype in the Classroom sessions,
fundraising, budgets, grants, national conferences, collaboration.
Executive Director
Teens4Oceans, Boulder, CO
September 2013 - September 2014
Design and implement scientific research projects and marine science expeditions. Led over 40 students
on scientific expeditions to Akumal, Mexico and British Virgin Islands to collect data and install live
underwater webcams and science nodes. Manage staff and budgets, develop grants and secure donors.
Attend national marine science education seminars and outreach events. Collaborate with educators and
students and develop growth of marine science student chapters.
Director of Research and Education
Ocean Classrooms, Boulder, CO
August 2012 - September 2013
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Marine research project design and management, deployment of novel underwater technology using
multi-modal data collection. Managed complex set of aquatic and marine data and developed acquisition
protocols. Developed and implemented marine science curricula, created web-based delivery platform and
managed contributing scientists. Developed funding and business processes, and presented at national
science conferences.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, August 2010 - August 2012
Impact assessment of water pollution on Indian River Lagoon marine fish sensory performance.
Adjunct Professor, Florida Atlantic University, January 2010 - August 2010
Instructed "Principles of Ecology" and "Life Science" courses to biology majors.
Research Assistant, Florida Atlantic University, January 2007 - December 2009
NSF-funded project assessing the biology and evolutionary significance of the hammerhead shark.
Teaching Assistant, Florida Atlantic University, January 2005 - December 2009
Instructed "Biodiversity" and "Life Science" laboratory sections; media specialist and webmaster.
Education Director, Shake-A-Leg Miami, April 2004 - January 2005
Responsible for developing and directing a complex, federally-funded marine science curriculum.
Teaching Assistant, Florida International University, January 2002 - April 2004
Instructed "General Biology II" and "Marine Biology" laboratory sections.
Research Assistant, Florida International University, January 2003 - April 2004
Conducted marine fish reproduction studies in collaboration with Mote Marine Laboratory Center for
Aquaculture.
Biological Technician, Florida International University, January 2002 - January 2003
Conducted applied research on marine and freshwater fishes in the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory.
Research Intern, Coastal Research and Education, 1999
Prepared marine fish health assessment reviews for agency use.
PADI SCUBA Instructor, Lady Cyana Divers, 1996 - 1997
Conducted training for all certifications levels through Divemaster.
Branch Manager, Employer’s Unity, Inc., 1991-1998
Served as Eastern Region Manager, supervised and trained employees, led educational training
workshops.
RESEARCH AND EXPEDITION EXPERIENCE
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Reef to Rainforest expedition, 17 students, 2015
Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Scalloped hammerhead shark tagging, 2015
Dive BVI, British Virgin Islands
Led expedition with 22 students, turtle tagging, 2014
Aquarius Reef Base, Key Largo, Florida
Remote marine camera and science node deployment, 2014
Ocean Frontiers, Grand Cayman Island
Coral Spawning assessment, Mesopelagic reef assessment, 2014
Akumal, Mexico
Expedition with 23 students, sea turtle tagging and telemetry, 2013
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Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Ft. Pierce, Florida
Water quality impact assessment on marine fish sensory performance, 2010 - 2012
Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
Winghead shark evolution and electrophysiology research expedition, 2008
University of Hawaii, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Oahu
Scalloped hammerhead shark electrophysiology research expedition, 2007
Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida
Evolution and sensory implication of the hammerhead, 2002 - 2010
Research Vessel Bellows, Florida Institute of Oceanography, St. Petersburg
Shark study expedition, 2007
National Geographic Amazon Expedition, Manaus, Brazil
Freshwater stingray conservation project, 2005 - Present
Research Vessel Suncoaster, Florida Institute of Oceanography, St. Petersburg
Shark research expedition, 2003
Research Vessel Tiburon, Marquesas Keys, Florida
Shark movement and conservation assessment, 2003
Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida
Everglades freshwater fish radio telemetry project, 2003
Bimini Biological Field Station, Bahamas
Lemon shark conservation initiative, 2001
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Southern Waters Ecological Research Program, endangered species research, 2001
National Geographic, Key Largo, Florida
Production assistant, Sea Stories with Dr. Sylvia Earle, 1999
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2015 Office of Naval Research, Underwater remotely operated vehicles ($1,000)
2014 The Paul M Angell Family Foundation, Underwater Camera deployment and mobile
classroom ($50,000) Teens4Oceans
2013 The Gates Family Foundation, IP based acoustic telemetry ($65,000) Teens4Oceans
2011 The Wallace Foundation, Scientific Advisor for "Sharks Count" ($86,000) PI: Sam Whitcraft
2010 Florida Atlantic University Integrative Biology Program Student Alumni Award
2008 National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
“Improvement of the Quality of the Ornamental Fish Exported by the State of Amazonia”
($60,000) PI's: Dr. J. Marcon, Dr. R. Brinn.
2007 National Science Foundation, The Functional Significance of the Hammerhead Shark Head
($150,000) PI's: Dr. Stephen Kajiura, Dr. Robert Hueter
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Travel Award ($250)
Florida Atlantic University Travel Award ($400)
PADI Project AWARE Foundation Grant ($1,000)
2006 Florida Atlantic University Newell Doctoral Fellowship ($5,000)
Florida Atlantic University Travel Award ($400)
Junior Women’s Club of Boca Raton Scholarship Award ($1,500)
FAU Graduate Fellowship for Academic Excellence ($5,000)
2005 FAU Graduate Research Symposium First Place ($100)
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2003 American Elasmobranch Society Distinguished Gruber Award, Best Student Presentation
American Elasmobranch Society Travel Award ($400)
Florida International University Graduate Student Association Travel Award ($400)
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed Journals
Abreu, J.S., Brinn, R.P., Gomes, L.C., McComb, D.M., Baldisserotto, B., Zaiden, S.F., Urbinati, E.C.,
and Marcon, J.L. 2014. Effect of beta 1,3 glucan in stress responses of the pencilfish
(Nannostomus trifasciatus) during transport within the rio Negro basin. Neotropical Ichthyology.
Brown, C.L., Urbinati, E.C., Zhang, W., Brown, S.B., and D.M. McComb-Kobza. 2014. Maternal
Thyroid and Glucocorticoid Hormone Interactions in Larval Fish Development, and Their
Applications in Aquaculture. Review in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture. 22: 207-220.
Bernardo, B., Brinn, R.P., Brandão, F.R., Gomes, L.C., Abreu, J.S., McComb, D.M and J.L. Marcon.
2014. Ion flux of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz) during transportation with
tetracycline, tetracycline+salt or Amquel®. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 30:86-92.
Bedore, C.N., McComb, D.M., Frank, T.F., Hueter, R.E. and Kajiura, S.M. 2013.
Effects of temperature and anesthesia on visual temporal resolution in elasmobranch fishes.
Abstract Integrative and Comparative Biology, 53 (Suppl. 1): E12
Bedore, C.B., Loew, E.R., Frank, T.M., Hueter, R.E., McComb, D.M. and Kajiura, S.M. 2013. A
physiologic analysis of color vision in batoid elasmobranchs. Journal of Comparative
Physiology.199:1129-1141.
Jordan, L.J., Mandleman, J., McComb, D.M., Fordham, S.Carlson, J. and T. Werner. 2013. Linking
sensory biology and fisheries bycatch reduction in elasmobranch fishes: a review with new
directions for research. Conservation Physiology. 1:1-20.
McComb, D.M., Frank, T.M., Horodysky, A.Z., Kajiura, S.M. 2013. Comparative visual function in
predatory fishes from the Indian River Lagoon. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 86: 285-
297.
Brinn, R.P., Marcon J.L, McComb, D.M., Gomes,L.C., Abreu, J. S., Baldisseroto, B. 2012. Stress
responses of the endemic freshwater cururu stingray (Potamotrygon cf. histrix) during
transportation in the Amazon region of the Rio Negro. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
Part A. 162:139-145.
McComb, D.M., Frank, T.M., Hueter, R.E., Kajiura, S.M. 2010. Temporal resolution and spectral
sensitivity of the visual system of three coastal shark species from different light environments.
Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 83:299-307 (with cover).
McComb, D.M., Tricas, T., Kajiura, S.M. 2009. Enhanced Visual Fields in Hammerhead Sharks. Journal
of Experimental Biology, 212:4010-4018.
Gomez, L., Brinn, R., Marcon, J., Dantas, L., Brandao, F., Abreu, J., Lemos, P., McComb, D.,
Baldisserotto, B. 2008. The benefits of using probiotic Efinol-L during transportation of cardinal
tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz) in Amazon. Aquaculture Research. 208:1-9.
Gomez, L., Brinn, R., Marcon, J., Araujo, L., Brandao, F., Abreu, J., McComb, D., Baldisserotto, B.
2008. Using Efinol-L during transportation of marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata (Gunther).
Aquaculture Research. 39:1292-1298.
McComb, D.M., and S.M. Kajiura. 2008. Visual fields of four batoid fishes: a comparative study. Journal
of Experimental Biology. 211:482-490.
Schwab, I.R. and McComb, D.M. 2007. Keeping a cool head. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 91:138
(with cover).
McComb, D.M., Gelsleichter, J., Manire, C.A., Brinn, R., and Brown, C.L. 2005. Comparative thyroid
hormone concentration in maternal serum and yolk of the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) from
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two sites along the coast of Florida. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 144:167-173 (with
cover).
Book Chapters
Vertebrate Endocrinology, Fifth Edition, July 2014, Research highlighted in chapter: The
Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid axis of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates.
Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, Second Edition, CRC Marine Biology Series, April 2012,
Research highlighted in chapter: Sensory Physiology and Behavior of Elasmobranchs.
Evolution's Witness, Oxford University Press, November 2011, Research highlighted in chapter: The
Piscine Eye Develops.
Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, 1st Edition, CRC Marine Biology Series, June 2004, Research
highlighted in chapter: Hormonal Regulation in Elasmobranch Physiology.
Online Courses
"The Truth About Sharks", 2015, Online interactive course delivered via OceanClassrooms.com
PRESENTATIONS
Conference Participation
2015 Wild Foundation, San Diego
2015 Blue Vision Summit, Washington, D.C.
2014 Blue The Dive, DEMA, Las Vegas, NV
2014 Blue Ocean Film Festival, St. Petersburg, FL
2014 National Science Teachers Association, San Antonio and Denver.
2013 Blue The Dive, DEMA, Orlando,FL
2013 Ocean Classrooms Marine Science Symposium, Dubai, UAE.
2013 National Marine Science Educators Association, Florida.
2012 DEMA, Las Vegas, NV
2011 American Elasmobranch Society (AES). Temporal resolution and spectral sensitivity of the visual
system of three shark species from different light environments.
2010 AES. Stress in the ornamental cururu stingray (Potamytrygon cf. histrix) during transport.
2010 Society of Integrative and Comparative Biologists. Visual and electrosensory integration in
hammerhead sharks.
2009 AES. Evolution and function of the hammerhead shark cephalofoil.
2008 AES. Visual fields in carcharhinid and sphyrnid sharks.
2007 AES. Visual fields of four batoid fishes: a comparative study.
2005 AES. Maternal provisioning of thyroid hormones in bonnethead sharks.
2003 AES. Geographic variation in thyroid hormones within egg yolk of embryonic bonnethead sharks.
Invited Seminars and Lectures
2015 Shark Weekend, "The Truth About Sharks", Downtown Aquarium
2015 Skype in the Classroom- 144 sessions in 33 states and in 23 countries reaching 1,000's of students
2014 Meetings with Remarkable Men and Women: Laurel Springs Schools
2014 Aquarius "Mission 31" Live Webinar with Fabien Cousteau
2014 Ocean First Divers, The Downtown Denver Aquarium, "Sharks and conservation"
2013 Laurel Online University, "The Ocean is our classroom"
2012 Florida Atlantic University, Marine Biology Lecture Series
2011 Marine and Oceanographic Academy, Fort Pierce, FL "The Truth About Sharks"
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2011 Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Juno Beach, FL "Summer Science Series"
2011 Environmental Studies Center, Jensen Beach, FL "24th Annual Mars Lecture Series"
2011 South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, FL "Shark Week Guest Lecture"
2010 Hagen Ranch Library, Delray Beach, FL
2010 South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, FL
2009 Florida International University, Miami, FL "Charles Darwin Biology Seminar Series"
USA Dive Club, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Palm Beach County Coral Reef Research Team, West Palm Beach, FL
2008 Hammerhead Scuba Diving Club, FL, Florida International University, Miami, FL
2007 Indian Pines Elementary, West Palm Beach, FL, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton, FL
2005 Florida International University, Miami, FL, LaSalle High School, Miami, FL
MEDIA
Radio Program Title Date
KGNU Science Show How On Earth 2014
Idea Garden Planet Vero Radio Show 2011
National Public Radio Radio Green Earth 2011
National Geographic National Geographic Weekend 2009
CBC Radio One Quirks and Quarks 2009
Television
Discovery Channel Canada Daily Planet: Shark Vision 2008
Discovery Channel Ocean of Fear: The Story of the USS Indianapolis 2007
Discovery Channel Perfect Predators 2007
LOOKS TV (Germany) Hammerhead Sharks 2006
National Geographic Explorer: Ultimate Shark 2006
Print
Vero Beach Magazine Protecting the Predators 2012
National Geographic News Sharks are Color Blind, Retinal Study Suggests 2011
BBC Wildlife Magazine Why Hammerheads Have Hammer Heads 2010
National Geographic Magazine Hammerhead Shark Vision 2010
Attention Perception Psychophysics How the Hammerhead Got Its Eyes 2010
BBC Earth News Hammerhead Shark Mystery Solved 2009
National Geographic News Hammerhead Sharks Have “Human” Vision 2009
Discovery News Hammerhead Sharks Have Stereo Vision 2009
New Scientist Why the Hammerhead Shark Got Its Hammer 2009
Science Daily Wide Heads Give Hammerhead Sharks 2009
Exceptional Stereo View
The Guardian Sight Tests Reveal Advantage of Hammerheads 2009
The Telegraph All Seeing Hammerhead Sharks Could Have the 2009
Best Vision in Animal Kingdom
Inside JEB Hammerheads Wide Heads Give Impressive 2009
View
* References Available Upon Request
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2011 Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Juno Beach, FL "Summer Science Series"
2011 Environmental Studies Center, Jensen Beach, FL "24th Annual Mars Lecture Series"
2011 South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, FL "Shark Week Guest Lecture"
2010 Hagen Ranch Library, Delray Beach, FL
2010 South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, FL
2009 Florida International University, Miami, FL "Charles Darwin Biology Seminar Series"
USA Dive Club, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Palm Beach County Coral Reef Research Team, West Palm Beach, FL
2008 Hammerhead Scuba Diving Club, FL, Florida International University, Miami, FL
2007 Indian Pines Elementary, West Palm Beach, FL, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton, FL
2005 Florida International University, Miami, FL, LaSalle High School, Miami, FL
MEDIA
Radio Program Title Date
KGNU Science Show How On Earth 2014
Idea Garden Planet Vero Radio Show 2011
National Public Radio Radio Green Earth 2011
National Geographic National Geographic Weekend 2009
CBC Radio One Quirks and Quarks 2009
Television
Discovery Channel Canada Daily Planet: Shark Vision 2008
Discovery Channel Ocean of Fear: The Story of the USS Indianapolis 2007
Discovery Channel Perfect Predators 2007
LOOKS TV (Germany) Hammerhead Sharks 2006
National Geographic Explorer: Ultimate Shark 2006
Print
Vero Beach Magazine Protecting the Predators 2012
National Geographic News Sharks are Color Blind, Retinal Study Suggests 2011
BBC Wildlife Magazine Why Hammerheads Have Hammer Heads 2010
National Geographic Magazine Hammerhead Shark Vision 2010
Attention Perception Psychophysics How the Hammerhead Got Its Eyes 2010
BBC Earth News Hammerhead Shark Mystery Solved 2009
National Geographic News Hammerhead Sharks Have “Human” Vision 2009
Discovery News Hammerhead Sharks Have Stereo Vision 2009
New Scientist Why the Hammerhead Shark Got Its Hammer 2009
Science Daily Wide Heads Give Hammerhead Sharks 2009
Exceptional Stereo View
The Guardian Sight Tests Reveal Advantage of Hammerheads 2009
The Telegraph All Seeing Hammerhead Sharks Could Have the 2009
Best Vision in Animal Kingdom
Inside JEB Hammerheads Wide Heads Give Impressive 2009
View
* References Available Upon Request
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