Women Who Make Waves: Carlee Jackson Shark Science & Storytelling

I first came across Carlee Jackson on social media, I saw her shark research, her passion for marine life, and the children’s book she wrote about SHARKS! I instantly knew I had to reach out and learn more.

Carlee is one of those people wearing about a million hats a Jill of all trades. She’s a marine biologist specializing in the effects of tourism on sharks, an environmental educator taking students on field trips around Florida, the Director of Communications and co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), a freelance science communicator, and yep — a children’s book author too!

What I really love about Carlee is how she’s just out there doing the work, following what she loves, sharing what she’s learned, and creating space for others along the way. She’s the kind of person who’s not only passionate about sharks and the ocean but also about making science feel more approachable and inclusive for everyone.

Here’s what she shared about her journey, her love for sharks, and what keeps her inspired to keep going:

When did you first fall in love with the ocean?

I first fell in love with the ocean at about 6 years old. I'm originally from Michigan, so I had no physical connection to the ocean besides what I saw in books and on TV. I always loved the water and being in pools, so loving the ocean came naturally once it was introduced to me. My first time snorkeling in the ocean was when I was about 15 or 16 years old and I remember feeling so happy and at peace in the water.

How has your connection to the ocean shaped who you are?

Whenever I’m in the ocean, no matter for work or for recreation, I feel peace, joy and appreciation. The ocean has become my safe place and where I go when I’m overwhelmed and stressed. I used to feel ashamed for having multiple interests within shark and turtle science and not being able to stay focused in one area of expertise (because everything excites and interests me!), but the ocean has taught me to embrace my free flowing spirit. It's also taught me to accept the ebbs and flows of life. There's always a high tide after a low tide, low points in life happen but are a natural and a necessary process for learning before the high points. My connection to the ocean has caused me to learn more about myself and accept how I flow through life!

What first sparked your fascination with sharks?

I remember attending a book fair with my mom and a book with a picture of a shark on its cover caught my eye. It was a kids book on sharks, and I begged my mom to buy it for me. Once I read it, I became obsessed with sharks! What got my attention the most was the diversity of sharks: how many different species there were and how different they all looked. I'm very attracted to bright colors and there were some colorful sharks in that book!

Do you have a favorite book, movie, or piece of art that inspires you?

My favorite movie to this day is still Finding Nemo! I've probably watched it a million times. I can't really tell you why that is my favorite movie besides the fact that it's all in the ocean.

Do you have a favorite ocean destination or memory?

Still to this day my favorite ocean destination is Belize, where I collected data for my master's thesis. I've yet to see reefs as beautiful as those, and the water is even more clear than the water in the Bahamas! One of my favorite memories from my time there is when a great hammerhead shark decided to grace us with her presence during one of my surveys. It was unexpected because we were in very shallow water, there was a large group of tourists nearby, and most of the sharks around were nurse sharks. I remember when the great hammer swam by me, I got a good look at her and felt so small! She was easily about 8-9ft long. She swam with such beauty and grace, but at the same time you could tell she was a powerful predator. She literally just checked us out, swam around a few times before swimming off into the distance.

What’s one challenge unique to your field that people don’t often consider?

I think that some people don't consider how difficult it can be to communicate science effectively to different audiences. It's almost like speaking multiple languages because a general public audience may not understand the same way a scientist-heavy audience would. If you plan to use your science to affect policy you need to know to convey your findings and justifications in a political climate. This can definitely be a challenge for people who like to use complicated scientific jargon.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve faced in your career, and how did you find the motivation to overcome it?

I've really been pondering this question and I keep coming back to the same answer: myself. I'm very good at being my own worst enemy! As someone diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression, it can be hard to juggle the multiple hats I wear and stay positive and functional. In the summer of 2023 I lost two very close family members and did not take the necessary time to myself. You can only imagine how that affected me and my mental state in the long run! I think this would be considered a 'burnout'. My community and therapist helped give me the tools and find the motivation to overcome this very hard time in my life. I really had to reignite my passion by doing things that brought me joy, like being on a boat and shark tagging!

What motivates you to keep going, even when things get tough?

When things get tough, I have a folder on my computer and my phone labeled "feel good." In that folder I have screenshots of emails or messages from people that have expressed to me how I've inspired them or helped them in some way. I say to myself, if someone else can believe in me, then surely I can believe in myself! It gives me a boost to keep going and a reminder to me that I CAN indeed do hard things even when it feels like I can't.

If you could dispel one major myth about sharks (or your field), what would it be?

I will scream it from the hilltops: the megalodon shark is extinct!! I just needed to get that out. People still like to ask me if I think they could still exist in the deepest parts of the ocean, and my answer is always no. There is so much evidence that shows those gigantic sharks are indeed extinct. A myth about the shark field is that shark scientists swim with sharks or you need to know how to swim and dive to be in this field. That is false! I know some shark scientists who have yet to swim with sharks, and don't have their dive certifications. Much of shark science happens in labs and on boats, and we usually use baited underwater cameras to document sharks in an area.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career like yours?

Don't be afraid to try many different things! The world of marine science is vast, and there are many skills you can build in one subject that are transferable to others. The more skills you have the more options are open to you when it comes to joining a lab or looking for jobs.

How do you define success?

I define success as being happy. If you are happy with what you've accomplished, then you have achieved success!

What are you most excited about for the future? Are there any dream projects or collaborations you’d love to work on?

I would love to travel back to Belize and continue my master's thesis work on the effects of tourism on nurse sharks. There were still a lot of questions that needed answering after completing my research (such is science). I am excited to publish my master's thesis in a scientific journal because it's long overdue!

Keep Up with Carlee

Getting to learn more about Carlee’s journey was such a reminder that there’s no one right way to build a life around what you love. You can follow more of Carlee’s journey over on Instagram at @carleejackson_, check out her website at carleejackson.org, or grab a copy of her shark book through Neon Squid Books. And if you want to support the incredible work she’s doing to create space for more women and minorities in shark science, definitely check out MISS Elasmo or follow them on Instagram at @miss_elasmo.

If reading Carlee’s story reminds you of someone in your life who’s out there chasing their passion, building something cool, or just doing their thing connected to the ocean, I’d love to know about them! Send me a message or drop their name in the comments. I’m always looking to share more stories like this and celebrate the women out there making their own waves.