Dr. Michael Heithaus

Tiger (Sharks) In the Grass: Importance of a Top Predator

About the Speaker

Michael R. Heithaus, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education at Florida International University in Miami, FL where he has been a faculty member since 2003.  He is also a member of the inaugural board of the Florida Academic of Science, Engineering, and Medicine of Florida. Mike received his B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College (1995) in Ohio and his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University (2001) in British Columbia, Canada.  He was a postdoctoral scientist and staff scientist at the Center for Shark Research and served as a research fellow at the National Geographic Society’s Remote Imaging Department where we helped other scientists deploy animal-borne cameras on a diversity of species. At FIU, Mike served as the Director of the Marine Sciences Program before becoming the Director of the School of Environment, Arts, and Society.  Mike is a behavioral and community ecologist.  His main research interests are in understanding the ecological roles and importance of large predators, especially their potential to impact community structure through non-consumptive effects.  His work also explores the factors influencing behavioral decisions, especially of large marine taxa including marine mammals, sharks and rays, and sea turtles, and the importance of individual variation in behavior in shaping ecological interactions.  Mike’s lab is engaged in research and conservation projects around the world, including as co-lead of the Global FinPrint project.  They also have ongoing long-term projects in Shark Bay, Australia, and the coastal Everglades of southwest Florida. Mike is also dedicated to science education and communication.  He has coauthored multiple K-12 textbooks and science programs and developed video-based math and science curricula that has impacted millions of students across the country. Getting his start as the host of National Geographic’s Crittercam, a 13-episode series, Mike has gone on to appear in more than a dozen documentaries including multiple episodes on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week and National Geographic’s SharkFest. He has also appeared on the Today Show, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, the Today Show and numerous local and national news programs.