Dr. Grace Casselberry: A Rising Star in Shark Research

Dr. Grace Casselberry, the sixth recipient of the Eugenie Clark Award from the American Elasmobranch Society, has made significant strides in the field of shark research. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, her work focuses on the spatial ecology of various shark species, predator-prey dynamics, and the effects of catch-and-release angling on striped bass. Her journey into marine science and shark research is both inspiring and illustrative of her dedication to the field.

Early Influences and Education

Grace's interest in marine science was sparked during her childhood summers spent in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where she developed a love for the ocean through fishing with her grandfather. Unlike many marine scientists who have been fascinated by sharks since childhood, Grace's path was more gradual. It wasn't until her undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut, where she took a fish biology class, that she realized she could turn her passion for fishing into a career studying fish.

After completing her Bachelor's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Grace interned at the Panama City Lab, where she gained hands-on experience with sharks. This internship solidified her interest in movement ecology and led her to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she studied the residency and habitat use of various shark species in a marine protected area.

Research Focus and Achievements

Grace's Master's research involved tagging and tracking tiger sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, and Caribbean reef sharks in Buck Island Reef National Monument in St. Croix. Her findings revealed that these species spent over 50% of their tagged days within the marine protected area, underscoring its importance for shark conservation.

For her PhD, Grace shifted her focus to great hammerhead sharks in the Florida Keys, where she investigated their movement patterns and interactions with the recreational tarpon fishery. Her research uncovered that approximately 15% of hooked tarpon were consumed by hammerheads, raising concerns about the impact of shark predation on the tarpon population.

In addition to her shark research, Grace has also worked on critically endangered sawfish, conducting juvenile nursery area habitat assessments in Everglades National Park. This work involved catching and tagging juvenile sawfish to better understand their habitat use and population dynamics.

The Importance of Funding and Collaboration

Throughout her academic journey, Grace has actively sought funding to support her research. She has applied for various grants, including the prestigious Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship from NOAA, which allowed her to pursue her PhD. Grace emphasizes the importance of persistence in grant writing, noting that rejection is a common part of the process. She encourages aspiring researchers to apply for funding opportunities, as they are essential for advancing scientific knowledge and conservation efforts.

Grace's collaborations with organizations such as Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary have also been instrumental in her research. These partnerships have provided valuable resources and support, enabling her to conduct fieldwork and share her findings with stakeholders in the fishing community.

Recognition and Future Aspirations

Receiving the Eugenie Clark Award is a significant milestone in Grace's career, recognizing her perseverance, dedication, and innovation in shark research. She hopes to continue her work in applied conservation and management, focusing on the intersection of marine animal movement and fisheries management. Grace's journey serves as an inspiration to early-career scientists, particularly women in marine science, as she exemplifies the impact of passion, hard work, and collaboration in advancing our understanding of marine ecosystems.

The importance of grant writing and securing funding is a critical aspect of a successful career in marine science, as highlighted by Dr. Grace Casselberry in her interview on the Beyond Jaws podcast. Grace emphasizes that her experience with grant writing has been somewhat unique, as she has actively pursued funding to support her research projects, particularly during her PhD and postdoctoral work.

Grace began writing grant proposals while finishing her master's thesis, recognizing that her lab did not have the resources to fully support her PhD work. This proactive approach allowed her to secure funding, which was essential for her to continue her research on sharks and other marine species. She notes that the process of applying for grants can be challenging, as it often involves competing against many other talented researchers with compelling ideas.

One of the key takeaways from Grace's experience is the reality of rejection in the grant writing process. She candidly shares that she has applied for more grants than she has received, which is a common experience for many researchers. Grace highlights that while rejections can be disheartening, they are not personal and often reflect the competitive nature of funding opportunities. She encourages aspiring scientists to persist despite setbacks, stating, "You're never going to get the money if you don't try to get the money."

Grace also emphasizes the importance of learning from feedback received on grant applications. For instance, after applying for the Dr. Nancy Foster scholarship and not receiving it initially, she was able to use the feedback to improve her proposal for the next application cycle, ultimately leading to her success. This illustrates the significance of resilience and adaptability in the grant writing process.

In summary, Grace's experiences underscore that grant writing is not only a necessary skill for securing funding but also an opportunity for researchers to articulate their ideas and the importance of their work. Her journey reflects the challenges and rewards of navigating the funding landscape in marine science, highlighting the need for persistence, learning from rejection, and the ability to tell a compelling story about one's research.