Dr Johan Gustafson is an Australian expedition leader, marine ecologist and shark expert.

After completing his doctorate studies at Griffith University, Johan leads the Shark Ecology Australia group, a research team that specializes in monitoring shark behavior for management and conservation. Johan’s research dives deep into marine waterways throughout Queensland to understand the movement and behaviour of iconic sharks. Using the latest tagging technologies, Johan’s research has been used to track Australia’s various shark species for nearly 10 years. With the help of his research team at Griffith University, Johan has fitted fin mounted bio-logging tags to monitor and record bull shark’s movements for up to 2 days, measuring the animal's behavioural movements, like speed. He is published internationally and featured on documentaries for National Geographic and Discovery Channel.

After catching wind of the disruption that sharks were causing in regional Queensland, Johan has been eager to find out more. Taking the plunge into unknown territory by diving beneath the waves, he hopes to discover the behaviours of the ocean’s greatest predator.

Dr Mariel Familiar López is a wildlife biologist, in both marine and terrestrial environments, and experienced science communicator. Originally from Mexico City, Mariel’s research has helped to combat the devastating Chytridiomycosis, an amphibian fungal infectious disease resulting in the mass global decline and extinction of amphibians worldwide. Mariel completed her doctorate studies investigating disease dynamics in endangered frogs of the ancient Gondwanan Rainforests within Australia’s World Heritage Area. Most recently, as a knowledge communicator, Mariel was selected to be a ‘Flying Scientist’ engaged to fly out to rural and remote regions of Queensland to address the shortage of STEM events and experiences.

While at Griffith University, Mariel met her partner and fellow scientist, Dr Johan Gustafson. Since joining forces and co-founding the Shark Ecology Australia group, the pair have embarked on multiple research projects that have led to presenting their findings at festivals, Pop-Up Science centres, conferences and conservation summits throughout Australia and the world. Now for the first time, they share an insight into their adrenaline fueled lives as shark researchers onscreen.