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Dr. Catherine Macdonald is an interdisciplinary marine conservation biologist who studies shark and ray biology, ecology and conservation. Her research interests also include marine ecosystems, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife tourism. She is a National Geographic Explorer, co-founder of Field School, an interdisciplinary marine science training and education organization, and the Director of the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School for Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.
Dr. Macdonald works to increase safe and welcoming field research opportunities for historically (and often currently) excluded groups in STEM, particularly scientists of color, women and LGBTQ+ scientists. She is a “Friend of MISS” (Minorities in Shark Science) and was the 2021 winner of the Student-Led Evaluations and Development Committee (SLED) Mentor of the Year award.