Debra Canabal, Ph.D.

Director of Development

Debra Canabal earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Science with a concentration in neuroscience at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She did her thesis work on neuronal control of glucose homeostasis and how it is altered in Diabetes. She was also a recipient of a National Science Foundation grant in which she facilitated the science curriculum for inner city school systems. After completing her Ph.D. she became an animal nutritionist for large and small pharmaceutical companies.

During graduate school, she went on her first shark dive in the Bay Islands of Honduras. She immediately developed a passion for sharks.  As her love for sharks deepened, she focused her efforts on their preservation. Debra believes research and education will lead to the conservation of sharks, and hopes to inspire a new outlook on sharks and their need for their protection.

Debra owns and operates Epic Diving where she specializes in oceanic whitetip shark photography expeditions. She also spends time working in the local community and school systems to inspire shark conservation throughout the island.  

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