I am a marine scientist and photographer/cinematographer focusing on the conservation of sharks in the Northwest Atlantic. I graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Marine Biology in 2016 and and an M.O. in Oceanography in 2017. I started working for 333 Productions in 2017 as a cinematographer and have been featured on Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Lionsgate pictures, Facebook, and ESPN. Along with highly acclaimed underwater cinematographer Joe Romeiro, we operate a wildlife filming and conservation vessel the R/V WARFISH from Rhode Island. I am now working on my PhD in Biological Oceanography at URI-GSO, specializing in endothermic sharks and pelagic sharks throughout the Northwest Atlantic. Using deep-sea BRUVs, eDNA, fin cameras, psat tags and taking biopsy’s for reproductive hormones & isotope analysis all on free swimming animals, I will be able to better understand the socialization, mating and hunting behavior of these New England sharks.

Education:

B.S. Marine Biology, University of Rhode Island, 2016

M.O. Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 2017

Ph.D. Biological Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Projected 2026

Contact Information:

Graduate School of Oceanography

215 South Ferry Road

University of Rhode Island,

Narragansett, RI 02882

Email: lauren_benoit@my.uri.edu

@laurenbenoit333