Where Science Meets Community
Explore upcoming events, research talks, conservation initiatives, and opportunities to connect with the people and science shaping the future of our oceans.
SharktoberFest
The Salty Lab Research Collective is excited to participate in SharktoberFest 2026, a free, five-day virtual celebration of shark science, conservation, and community, hosted by the Vermilion Sea Institute (VSI) and Ocean Science Expedition Academy (OSEA).
Bringing together marine researchers, conservationists, educators, and science communicators, SharktoberFest explores the latest in shark research while highlighting the many ways people can contribute to marine conservation.
Shivani Cowper, founder of The Salty Lab Research Collective, will be a featured speaker during the Community Science Involvement session, exploring how everyday ocean enthusiasts can become active participants in shark research and conservation.
Drawing on firsthand experience in shark field research, wildlife monitoring, and community science initiatives, Shivani will discuss how volunteer opportunities, collaborative research, and hands-on fieldwork can create meaningful pathways into marine science, regardless of professional background.
Featured Presentation: Community Science Involvement
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM ET | 3:30 PM PT
Join The Salty Lab and fellow marine science professionals for a week of discovery, collaboration, and conversations about the future of shark conservation.
Free and open to everyone. No scientific background required.
Past Events
-
Sharks International 2026
The Salty Lab Research Collective's founder, Shivani Cowper, developed a research presentation titled “Sentinel Nursery Habitats: Urbanization and Juvenile Bonnethead Shark Health Across Florida Estuarine Systems” for Sharks International, the world's largest conference dedicated to shark, ray, and chimaera science.
The research explores how coastal urbanization and habitat quality may influence juvenile bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) health across Florida's estuarine nursery habitats. Integrating physiological health indicators, habitat assessments, and spatial analysis, the study examines the relationship between environmental pressures and shark health, highlighting the importance of protecting critical coastal nursery ecosystems.
-
NORTHEAST PACIFIC SHARK SYMPOSIUM 2026
The Salty Lab Research Collective's founder, Shivani Cowper, presented “Sentinels of the Estuary: Urbanization Shapes Nursery Habitat Conditions and Juvenile Bonnethead Shark Health” at NEPSS VII in March 2026.
The presentation explored how coastal urbanization may influence estuarine nursery habitat quality and the physiological health of juvenile bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo). The research highlighted the importance of understanding human-driven environmental pressures on critical shark nursery habitats and their implications for coastal ecosystem management and shark conservation.
-
SHARKCON 2026
The Salty Lab Research Collective joined fellow marine science enthusiasts, researchers, educators, and conservation organizations at SharkCon, an event dedicated to shark science, ocean education, and marine conservation.
The event offered opportunities to connect with the broader marine science community, explore conservation initiatives, and engage with organizations working to protect sharks and marine ecosystems.