Mikki McComb-Kobza

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT MIKKI MCCOMB-KOBZA

I am a marine biologist, shark scientist, and conservation leader dedicated to changing the way people think about sharks and the ocean. My journey into shark science began with fear. As a child, the movie Jaws convinced me that sharks were something to fear. But curiosity eventually replaced fear, leading me to pursue a career studying and protecting some of the ocean’s most misunderstood animals. Today I serve as CEO and Chief Scientist of Ocean First Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing ocean conservation through science, education, and exploration. Our work combines cutting-edge research with immersive learning experiences that inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. My research focuses on shark biology, behavior, and movement, using innovative and non-invasive technologies to better understand and protect these critical ocean predators. Over the course of my career, I have led more than 40 undersea expeditions across five continents, studying species ranging from hammerhead sharks in Costa Rica to great white sharks in the North Atlantic and South Africa.Through Ocean First Institute, our team has reached more than 1.5 million people worldwide, connecting students, communities, and educators directly with ocean science and conservation. In addition to my research and nonprofit leadership, I serve as faculty in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I teach Shark Biology and Conservation and mentor the next generation of marine scientists. My work has been featured by National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, and CBC Radio, helping shift public perception of sharks from fear to fascination. I am honored to be a National Fellow of The Explorers Club, Past President of the American Elasmobranch Society, and a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. I hold a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University and have authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on shark ecology and marine conservation. But above all, my mission is simple:To transform fear of sharks into fascination — and inspire people to protect the ocean that sustains us all.