Jasmin Graham: Critically Endangered Sawfish, Hammerhead Sharks and Equality in Marine Science (#34)

Happy Shark Week!

I hope y’all are in the mood for some shark-y goodness because this month, we’re diving into the world of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays).

If you aren’t already, you may want to check out the podcast’s Instagram. We’ll be featuring some fun tidbits about sharks that you may not already know!

In keeping with the shark theme, in today’s episode I’m chatting with one of Mote Marine Lab’s smalltooth sawfish researchers, Jasmin Graham.

Sawfish (aka carpenterfish) are a critically endangered animal found worldwide, and Jasmin’s research is helping to affect policy in order to give these unique creatures some more recognition and protection.

Researching sawfish is only a small part of Jasmin’s role at Mote, however. She’s the project coordinator for Marine Science Laboratory Alliance Center of Excellence (MarSci-LACE), working to create equality in the marine sciences by forging new partnerships and mentorship programs, as well as highlighting some of the incredible ocean research that’s conducted by minorities.

Join us today as we dive into the world of sharks and rays, and how Jasmin is working to change policies for a better world, for both wildlife and human-life.

Connect with Jasmin: Twitter| Instagram

Quick Links
College of Charleston
UNCW Marine Quest Camp
Naylor Gavin’s shark lab at COC
Marine Mammal Stranding Network in Charleston
Graduate Research Fellowship
MarSci-LACE
Miss_Elasmo
The Field School
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles
FWC Sawfish hotline

Show Notes

6:15 Why College of Charleston was the best fit for Jasmin: small school and most of the research is done by undergraduates. How a research speed dating day made Jasmin choose to study sharks. The problem? It was unpaid. A semester later, a paid position opened and Jasmin got it!

12:15 Jasmin’s undergraduate research: what’s up with the heads on hammerhead sharks?! Jasmin explains looking at morphology v. molecular data and the difference between. Is the head growing or shrinking?

19:51 A pivotal experience during a dolphin necropsy made Jasmin look at not only her own consumption habits but also started to consider the importance of policy.

25:29 How Jasmin made the decision to go to grad school: mom said apply and see what happens! Jasmin applied for the Graduate Research Fellowship by the NSF and got it! What did she want to study? Something out of the lab and on a boat.

30:00 what it’s like tagging sawfish with acoustic and satellite tags. Why we have to use these different tags and the limitations of working with signalling equipment underwater.

47:07 Jasmin gets a job at the prestigious Mote Marine Laboratory. Her job? Keep doing great science and bring more diversity into the scientific community. She’s taken the power she’s been given and run with it. She’s creating partnerships for mentorships and workshops to get hands-on experience for minorities.

55:49 The importance of creating communities and support for minorities, specifically Black people, in the marine sciences. MarSci-LACE is the first marine science focused organization for supporting minorities. Part of Jasmin’s job is to create the infrastructure and partnerships to make this happen.

1:02:43 Jasmin has been to all seven continents, and it’s not because her mom was in the Air Force!

1:08:08 Jasmin’s advice for the audience: Be Happy. Whatever that looks like for you.

1:11:08 Favorite Field Story to tell? The first day she got to drive the boat while tagging sawfish. Why her favorite? Because everything went wrong (but it makes a great story!)

1:16:45 Jasmin’s conservation ask: reduce your plastic. And don’t use balloons!