Raquel grew up by the ocean in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she developed a deep connection with the marine environment. From an early age, she nurtured a strong fascination with the ocean’s top predators - sharks - which has guided her academic path and career. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in Rio de Janeiro, completed a Master’s degree at KAUST focusing on whale sharks and oceanography, and is now pursuing a PhD in Marine Science with the Reef Ecology Lab.

Her doctoral research explores how tiger sharks of different ages and maturity stages vary in their movement and residency patterns. Beyond fieldwork, she spends countless hours in the lab investigating physiological indicators that link to behavior, reproductive stage, and pregnancy.

For more information about her research or to connect about this field, check out the links below and feel free to reach out!