Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza of Ocean First Institute Visits Longmont High School Before Going Nose-to-Jaws with Great White Sharks

Boulder, Colo., — Sept. 27, 2016 —Students in an Animal Behavior class at Longmont High School will quiz Ocean First Institute executive director Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza later this week about her plans to dive with great white sharks in October.
 
McComb-Kobza, one of the most renowned shark researchers in the country, will speak to students at Longmont High School on Friday, Sept. 30 beginning at 11:05 a.m.
Longmont High School is located at 1040 Sunset St. in Longmont.
 
McComb-Kobza will spend five days (Oct. 15—20) observing great white sharks from submersible cages near the remote island of Isla Guadalupe, 150 miles west off the Baja Peninsula of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. The island, recently declared a Biosphere Preserve by the Mexican government, is home to a population of over 120 great white sharks.  
 
Immediately following her trip and research, McComb-Kobza will offer a live webinar for teachers and students from the shark lab at California State University Long Beach, run by white shark researcher, Dr. Chris Lowe.  She will share what she discovered on the dive and both will discuss current trends in research and conservation efforts. The webinar will be held on Monday, October 24th at 10:30 a.m. (MST).
 
Accompanying McComb-Kobza and others on their dive from the 142-foot Nautilus Belle Amie will be internationally renowned ocean photographer Ernie Brooks.
 
“This dive offers a tremendous opportunity to observe one of the most fascinating species of the ocean environment,” said McComb-Kobza. “White sharks are apex predators and a very important part of the marine ecosystem. Learning more about their populations and continuing to promote effective conservation strategies is critical for their future.”
 
Sept. 29 Presentation
McComb-Kobza will join Ocean First Divers co-founder Amy Christopher, who recently returned from a trip to the same island, for a presentation on Thursday, Sept. 29. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean First, 3015 Bluff St., in Boulder. Christopher will share videos and photos from her dive and McComb-Kobza will preview her research efforts.
 
About Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza
Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza is passionate about sharing her love of the ocean. She is one of the top shark researchers in the world. Her work focuses on the sensory biology and ecological physiology of sharks, skates and rays. McComb-Kobza speaks, teaches and conducts research around the world including in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Her outreach efforts have been covered by the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, and CBC National Radio Canada. She holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University and is the author of numerous scientific publications.
 
About Ocean First Institute
As a non-profit, Ocean First Institute works to deepen the natural connection between people and the ocean. We educate and empower people to understand the ocean is our life support system no matter where they live, and that we need a healthy ocean to have a healthy planet. We provide opportunities for individuals to engage in activities that support sustainability, biodiversity and improve the health of our ocean. For more information, visit https://www.oceanfirstinstitute.org/,
 
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Contact Information

Kimberly Kennedy

kim@moxiemettle.com

Ocean First Institute

(1) 781-603-6066

kim@moxiemettle.com