Unique Experiences

Item Description

Lunch or Dinner with Dr. Neil Hammerschlag – Shark Scientist –in Miami, Florida

Dr. Neil Hammerschlag is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Miami, a joint position between the Rosenstiel School of Atmospheric Science and the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. 

Dr. Hammerschlag is renowned for his research on sharks.  His research is primarily focused on understanding the role of sharks in the ecosystem, determining habitat use and migratory patterns of large coastal sharks using satellite technologies and understanding how toxins biomagnify up the marine food chain.  The goal of his research is to advance ocean conservation through science.

Neil’s personal goal has always been clear: utilize innovative research and education programs to study and conserve our oceans and their top predators.  Over the past five years, he has built a truly unique program known as the RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program (RJD).  The mission of RJD is to advance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) literacy and marine conservation by combining cutting edge research and outreach activities.

Neil has published over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles since 2007.  One of his recent studies revealed a link between consuming shark fin soup and increasing risks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. 

Neil is an advocate for marine preservation and the education of policy makers, students and the general public.  He has stood before policy makers at the Florida Wildlife Commission to provide data collected from satellite tagging, created online learning resources and provided hands-on experience in marine conservation field research to thousands of high school, undergraduate and graduate students.

 http://rjd.miami.edu/

Item Special Note

Being auctioned is dinner or lunch with one the world’s foremost shark experts or celebrities. It is a unique opportunity to “talk shark” face-to-face, one-on-one, with a real authority on sharks. 

How it works:

1. Bid on a celebrity, shark scientist or conservationist that lives or works in your area, unless you are willing to drive or fly to meet them in their area.

2. The winning bidder pays for the lunch or dinner and may bring as many guests as he or she wishes.

3. We will introduce the winning bidder to the celebrity, scientist or conservationist. The two of you then set a mutually agreeable  date, time and place to meet within one year of the close of the auction.

All winning bids are charitable contributions deductible from US Federal 2013 income taxes.  Funds raised by the auction will be used to support shark research and conservation programs.