A Global Outreach Initiative.
Global Elasmo-Branch Outreach Ambassadorships
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The Bimini Shark Lab is proud to introduce our Global Elasmo-Branch Outreach Ambassadorships, a new initiative designed to expand the reach of our missions in Research, Education, and Conservation. With a network of thousands of past interns from around the world, we are now empowering passionate alumni to serve as global ambassadors, bringing the Shark Lab’s story to classrooms, universities, community events, and virtual audiences across all time zones.
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These ambassadors deliver engaging presentations that highlight the 35 year history of the Bimini Shark Lab, covering our pioneering shark research, conservation efforts, and educational programs. Each talk is packed with fascinating shark facts, cutting-edge science, and stories from the field.
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The Elasmo-Branch is just getting started, and we’re excited to grow this global effort. As the program develops, we aim to welcome even more ambassadors from our worldwide community, extending our reach, building new connections, and continuing to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.
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By being present in-person in diverse international locations and virtually accessible worldwide, our Global Elasmo-Branch Ambassadors are creating new opportunities to connect with students, educators, and shark enthusiasts everywhere! We are excited to ignite curiosity, spread knowledge, and foster a global community of shark and ocean stewards.
MEET THE GLOBAL ELASMO-BRANCH
WANDA
Puerto Rico
Wanda is a marine scientist and educator from Puerto Rico. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and specialized her career in sharks. Some of her previous experiences include waitressing, working as food vendor and park greeter at Walt Disney World, field technician at HJR Reefscaping, intern at the Bimini Shark Lab, assisting in harmful algal blooms’ research aboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster, and work as an educator at Sea Grant Puerto Rico.
As a former intern at Bimini Shark Lab, she had the opportunity to immerse herself in the world of sharks, learning from these predators up close as well as gaining and developing skills she still uses in her daily life, and make friends with some of the most amazing group of people she has met.
Currently, Wanda is the founder and executive director of Little Women, Big Sharks, where she conducts educational activities and develops materials to inform her community about the sharks of Puerto Rico. She also works as a Protected Species Observer for Biomarine LLC. Her hobbies include reading, writing, snorkeling, scuba diving, taking her dogs to long walks at the beach and volunteering at the local animal shelter.
Moana Bullock
Intern
Moana was born in the coastal city of Fort Bragg, California, and before her parents moved to a small inland town, she was named after the ocean. From a young age, she found magic in the tidepools of Northern California. She became fascinated with the worlds under the surface, often telling her parents her dream job was to be ‘an underwater camera girl’. She always felt a strong personal and cultural connection to the ocean and has dedicated herself to preserving its inhabitants.
Moana continued to pursue her passions at California State University, Monterey Bay, where she participated in undergraduate research and internships, broadening her horizons and honing her skills before earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science in 2024. Throughout her scientific pursuits, Moana has aimed to advance ocean literacy and promote environmental stewardship in coastal communities, including demystifying the fears regarding some of the ocean’s largest predators.
The Shark Lab’s internship opportunity offered the perfect mixture of Moana’s interests, and she looks forward to developing new skills and collaborating with conservationists with diverse perspectives.