Marine biology graduate student Bianca Prohaska studies tiger sharks in Bahamas

Bianca Prohaska, a graduate student studying marine biology at the University of New England, 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.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.