Maddalena Polla
Maddy was born and brought up in a little town on the coast of Northern Italy. From a young age she loved being in the water more than she did on land, learning how to swim, windsurf and sail. After graduating from a BAs in International Studies from Leiden University, Maddy chose to travel to Australia. While exploring the coastline of New South Wales, snorkeling and sailing through its rich waters, she realized her passion for protecting marine environments and knew she wanted to contribute to their conservation. Maddy’s travels and experiences are what brought her to the Shark Lab. She is confident that her time in Bimini will be filled with incredible encounters, offering her the opportunity to deeply connect with the ocean and its unique marine wildlife .
Zainab Saria
Zainab was born and brought up in Mumbai, India and has always been inspired by the beauty and vastness of the ocean. Her fascination with sharks began at the age of thirteen when she encountered a reef shark while snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef. She went onto complete her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Biochemistry from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, and is currently nearing the completion of her Masters in Marine Biology at James Cook University in Australia. Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Doc Gruber, she eagerly applied to BBFSF to contribute to his legacy. Fascinated by the captivating elegance of sharks, Zainab is driven to deepen her understanding of these magnificent creatures and pursue further research. Beyond her academic pursuits, she is also interested in outreach and education, science communication, and integrating art into the scientific discourse.
Emma Beaver
Emma graduated from the University of Redlands in Southern California in 2023, with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Health, Medicine, and Society. Emma’s degree was an interdisciplinary look at sustainability and environmental health, studying vulnerable coastal communities and environmental resilience. This led her to an environmental educator role in Costa Rica and a marine conservation internship with San Diego Coastkeeper in California. These opportunities pushed Emma to seek connection with the coast and understand what it takes to protect our natural world. She has followed along with the Shark Lab’s efforts for years, and now looks forward to developing her knowledge and experience in tropical marine biology. Emma hopes to pursue a master’s degree within the coming years, but is now focused on Bimini and all it has to offer.
Siena McQuade
Siena grew up in the United Kingdom, with a David Attenborough-inspired interest in wildlife. Studying zoology at Swansea University, her interest in marine life and animal movement peaked. A Research Masters exploring the diving behaviours of whale sharks allowed her to develop this even further. Alongside her studies, Siena worked with an educational outreach company, providing science workshops in local schools - a fitting combination of her studies, interests and love of working with young people. Following graduation, Siena spent several years travelling, amongst which she worked as a wildlife tour guide, again leaning into science communication interests. After following the Shark Lab social media for years, the internship opportunity provided a perfect amalgamation of Siena’s interests, experience and future career path plans.