Hi [NAME],

This Sunday marks the return of Shark Week and Shedd Aquarium would like to give
you an opportunity to engage with Shedd experts to answer all things shark related.
Experts are available to dispel myths, provide shark facts and insight, as well as
comment about the possibility of sharks in the Great Lakes and how we work with
and care for our sharks at Shedd. Postdoctoral research associate, Kristine Stump,
will even be in the water with whale sharks in Cancun for some of the week!
Bios for Shedd Aquariums Shark Week experts can be found below as well as online
in our online press kit.
We hope youre interested in taking a deeper dive into this unique opportunity.
Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to schedule an interview
with one of our experts.
Best,
[NAME]
Lise Watson, Collection Manager, Wild Reef
Lise Watson is the collection manager for the Wild Reef division at Shedd Aquarium.
An expert in Zebra sharks, she also has expertise in breeding several species of
sharks and rays. As collection manager, Lise is in charge of the acquisition and
transportation of the animals within the Wild Reef division. Lise conducts research
on the genetic and developmental research for Zebra sharks and her article on the
captive propagation and rearing of Zebra sharks at Shedd Aquarium was published
in Drum and Croaker. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from
Rollins College.
Heather Thomas-Urbaniak, Senior Aquarist
Heather Thomas-Urbaniak is a Senior Aquarist at Shedd Aquarium and has been the
shark and ray lead for the Wild Reef since 2004. Heathers career with Shedd began
as an intern between her junior and senior year of college. Upon receiving her
bachelors degree in Environmental Science from Loyola University-Chicago, she
found her way to Shedd. Her time with the Wild Reef has helped developed Shedds
shark training and breeding program into what it is now a national leader. Heather
previously partnered with Shedd learning department to teach classes on sharks
and rays to students and volunteers. Additionally, Heather conducted genetic
research work on Shedds Zebra sharks and others in the United States and has
authored an article on Ribbontail and Blue-spotted stingrays in Drum and Croaker.
Phil Willink, Ph.D., Senior Research Biologist
Senior research biologist, Dr. Phil Willink, joined Shedd in 2012 after more than 20
years of experience in research, teaching and global expeditions studying fish
biodiversity, as well as endangered and invasive species. With a doctorate in
ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Michigan, Dr. Willink has a
passion for studying threatened and endangered species. Currently a research
biologist for Shedds Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research, Dr.

Willink works closely with the Great Lakes in effort to bring recognition to invasive
species and the impact of development and invasive specifies on fish populations.
Kristine Stump, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Kristine Stump joined Shedd in 2014 as a postdoctoral research associate in the
Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research. Her work focuses on
spawning aggregations of Nassau grouper. Dr. Stump joins Shedd after earning her
doctorate in marine biology and fisheries from the University of Miamis Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, where her research focused on the
effects of nursery habitat loss on juvenile lemon sharks in the Bahamas. Dr. Stumps
field work on the island of Bimini at the Bimini Biological Field Station revealed that
lemon sharks are highly vulnerable to habitat loss caused by human disturbances
and cannot seek out new nursery grounds even if the quality of their habitat and
food availability is compromised. Dr. Stump will be featured in Discovery Channels
Shark Week during their Monster Hammerhead show, which will explore a legendary
hammerhead shark that has been patrolling Floridas shores for the past 60 years.
George Parsons, Senior Director, Fishes
As Senior Director of Fishes, George Parsons oversees staff development, habitat
design, general husbandry and development of specimen collections of over 250
species of 30,000 animals. George is a biologist with over 25 years of zoological
animal care and diving experience and has developed many husbandry techniques
for invertebrates and as a result has set many longevity records in invertebrate
husbandry. Among his many experiences at Shedd, George coordinated and led
collection expeditions to the Bahamas and Central California and served as the lead
husbandry designer for Shedds Wild Reef exhibit, a $47 million dollar project.
Parsons has lectured for the National Geographic Society, taught numerous classes
for College of DuPage and Prairie State University and consulted on exhibit design
and development for many aquariums.