Sharks: The Ultimate Survivors

By Maureen Harvie

Published July 3, 2019 at 9:00 AM EDT

The most ancient shark ancestors swam the Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. What lessons can be learned from studying how they fight off infection?

Evolutionary immunologist Helen Dooley of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Institute for Marine and Environmental Technology explains how immune systems of humans and sharks are related and what might that mean for curing diseases. Learn more about Helen Dooley's research here.

A megalodon tooth and large fossilized shark teeth that were crafted into tools.

Then, biologist and forager Nick Spero of the Natural History Society of Maryland gives us a preview of Shark Fest and describes the allure fossilized shark teeth. Shark Fest is July 21st and the next visit to Stratford Cliffs is July 27th.

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Maureen Harvie

Maureen Harvie is Senior Supervising Producer for On the Record. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and joined WYPR in 2014 as an intern for the newsroom. Whether coordinating live election night coverage, capturing the sounds of a roller derby scrimmage, interviewing veterans, or booking local authors, she is always on the lookout for the next story.

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