Facilities
The Elasmobranch Research Laboratory is located in the Sanson Life Sciences Building on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University. The 1200 sq ft lab is comprised of student offices, workspace, storage freezers, and networked computer facilities. Specialized equipment includes a dedicated video editing system, microscopes with digital camera interfaces, an electronics bench and dissecting area.
A 500 sq ft aquarium room on campus is outfitted with replicate 860 gallon tanks for holding specimens in either a freshwater or saltwater recirculating system. An overhead webcam provides an opportunity to remotely view animals in one of the tanks.
The Elasmobranch Research Laboratory maintains sharks and rays in large, flow through seawater tanks at the FAU Marine Laboratory located at the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex in Boca Raton. Several large tanks are available with most including viewing windows to facilitate filming. These tanks are sufficiently large to maintain numerous sharks and rays simultaneously.
A pair of electrophysiology laboratories are located adjacent to the indoor holding tanks within the FAU Marine Laboratory. The physiology labs are equipped with flow through seawater and are used to study the sensory capabilities of sharks and rays. The labs are networked to the FAU Boca Raton campus to facilitate video conferencing.
A 23' center console fishing vessel was provided at a substantial discount by Dusky Marine in Dania Beach, FL. This boat facilitates collection of specimens and off-shore research. Dusky donation information. The Elasmobranch Research Laboratory also has a truck to haul the boat and transport specimens.
Biological Sciences
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-297-2677 (office)
561-297-1040 (lab)
561-297-2749 (fax)