Monthly Q&A: March 2022

Can we believe we are already three months into 2022? I must say March has been my toughest month yet, with returning back to Perth and diving back into the final year of my PhD. I can't believe I am so close to finish what has been a year of mine for over 20 years... I never could believe it would be so hard and soul-wrenching. Anyways, without further ado, here are your questions and my answers!

PERSONAL​

Who does your hair in Perth? 
Nobody at this moment! I want to go to a curl-focused salon to continue getting my curls healthy.

How do you curl your hair?
I don't! It's naturally curly.

Do you workout? What do you do?
I have really been into reformer pilates and barre lately. I'm a lifelong runner and want to do a 5k this year to get back into the swing of things.

What are your go-to nail polish colors?
Neutrals and pinks! I tend to do neon colors during the summer.

What is your current morning schedule looking like?
​Here's the general idea:

• 5 AM: Get up & make my bed
• 5:15AM: Leave for gym class
• 6:00 AM: Finish class, drink some water and head home
• 6:30 AM: Eat some breakfast, take morning vitamins, and shower
• 7:00 AM: Skin & hair care routine
• 7:30 AM: Journal & meditate
• 8 AM: Begin work

​What is your view on LGBTQIA?​
People should not be discriminated against for their gender, sexual identity, and how they identify otherwise.

•••

EDUCATION & WORK

Would you consider lecturing at a university?
​Yup, I’d like to try at some point. 

I'm struggling with my PhD. I saw you were too! Any tips?
Find a group of friends inside academia who can understand what you are going through and provide some advice... and get some friends outside of academia to pull you outta that mindset.

How are you feeling about your PhD?
Ask me next year LOL

I saw your new book deal - congrats! When will they come out?
"Mother of Sharks" is out 2023 and "Sea of Constellations" is out 2024. Both are picture books illustrated by the incredibly talented Devin Elle Kurtz.

Is "Mother of Sharks" a biography?
Sort of! Sort of like a memoir, too, with a call to action for readers.

When will you be coming out with a book for adults?
Stay tuned - might be coming sooner than you think!

Is your "Wild Survival" series continuing?
Here's hoping! We need to show them the series is of interest - so keep buying it, requesting it, and reviewing it.

What will you do after your PhD?
Trying to figure that out...

•••

WILDLIFE Q’S

How many shark species are there?
Over 530 species! And we are discovering new species all the time.

What are the differences between skates and rays?
Most rays are shaped like a kite, have whip-like tails that have one or two stinging spines, and plate-like teeth. Skates, on the other hand, have fleshier tails and lack spines.

Why are tiger sharks called that?
They have tiger-like stripes on their body! These fade as they mature.

Why are common names so different in parts of the world?
In every country, people have common names for a handful of animal and plant species that they encounter. But the problem is that these common names can refer to a number of different species depending where in the world you are! That's why scientists rely on scientific names, not common names, for identifying animals.

Is there such a thing as a rogue shark?
A little over a century ago, four deaths in fourteen days brought to life the theory of a "rogue shark." Learn more about this theory here.

•••

RELATIONSHIP

If you and C have kids, will you show them on social media?
No. I have C's consent to show them off sometimes, but we both agree we do not want to post our kid's on such unregulated platforms... especially when there are some sick people out there.

Will C wear a wedding band?
Yeah! He already has a ring he wears.

Any wedding updates?
Nothing I want to share publicly, sorry. I'll be keeping that private.

​AS ALWAYS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR SENDING IN YOUR GREAT QUESTIONS!  BE SURE TO KEEP UP WITH MY INSTAGRAM STORIES TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS IN FOR THE NEXT Q&A!