Meet a defender of the oceanic whitetip shark

Candace Fields always wanted to be an advocate for shark conservation. Now, she's protecting some of the most endangered species.

In 2011, the Bahamas became the first shark sanctuary in the Atlantic Ocean and is now one of the last strongholds for critically endangered oceanic whitetip sharks.

Originally from the Bahamas, Fields — a Ph.D. candidate in the Predator Ecology and Conservation lab — gathers data to help ensure the viability of the last remaining populations of these sharks. Using a combination of genetics and movement data, she works to pinpoint important locations - such as those preferred for giving birth to pups and areas for raising the young - that may need safeguarding from human activity. 

FIU is ranked No. 2 in the world for positive impact on life below water by The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.