Krista Sherman, PhD

Dr. Sherman is marine scientist with more than a decade of research and conservation experience and is also the first Bahamian female with a PhD in the marine sciences. She recently completed a self-funded PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Exeter (graduated July 2018), and also holds an MRes in Ocean Science from the University of Southampton, as well as a BSc. (Hons) in Marine Science and minor in Spanish from Jacksonville University. Her PhD research assessed the status, population structure and dynamics of Nassau grouper spawning aggregations, and was critical to the development of the first Nassau Grouper Conservation Management Plan for The Bahamas.

Before earning her PhD, Krista worked at the Bahamas National Trust as Global Environment Facility (GEF) Full Size Project (FSP) Coordinator and Science Officer; the Cape Eleuthera Institute and Island School as a Research Associate and Advisor; and at Atlantis as an Aquarist. She has extensive marine animal husbandry and research experience — evaluating the status of Nassau grouper spawning aggregations; applying molecular biology and acoustic telemetry for assessments of population genetics and spatial connectivity of Nassau grouper, assessing impacts of invasive lionfish on native species and ecosystems; monitoring the health of coral reef, mangrove and seagrass habitats; coral restoration; and conducting Rapid Ecological Assessments (REAs) for proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Krista has actively contributed to several national research projects, e.g. the GEF FSP – Building a Sustainable National MPA Network in The Bahamas, the Mitigating the Threats of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean (MTIASIC) project, Bahamas Protected, and coral restoration and monitoring under the Atlantis Blue Project.

Krista holds numerous instructor level certifications and professional qualifications (e.g. AGRRA Trainer, REEF Check Eco-Diver Trainer, Advanced assessment team member for the Tropical Western Atlantic).

Hobbies: Free diving, SCUBA diving, traveling, dancing, exercising, rock climbing, water sports, music & reading