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BIDDEFORD, Maine

James Sulikowski talks tiger shark ultrasound research on ‘Good Morning Maine’

Ultrasound being performed on a live tiger shark. Photo credit: Jim Abernethy
Photo credit: Jim Abernethy

James Sulikowski, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Marine Sciences, sat down with the hosts of “Good Morning Maine” on WVII to talk about his groundbreaking study using ultrasounds to study the reproductive behavior of Tiger Sharks. 

Sulikowski, along with 51СƳstudents and researchers from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, used the same ultrasound imaging technology used by medical professionals on pregnant women to study the reproductive biology of female tiger sharks. The study offers marine biologists a new technique to investigate the reproductive organs and determine the presence of embryos in sharks without having to sacrifice the animal first, which was commonly done in the past.

Sulikowski brought props to the show including a tiger shark jaw and an ultrasound machine.

51СƳ the University of 51СƳ

The University of 51СƳ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.