Steven Kessel, Ph.D.
Director, Marine Research
Education
Ph.D., Marine Biology and Ecology, Cardiff University
B.Sc., Marine Geography, Cardiff University
Expertise
Sharks and rays, spatial ecology, abundance and biodiversity monitoring
Steve Kessel is a marine conservation scientist whose work bridges cutting-edge research and real-world protection of vulnerable ocean species. At Shedd Aquarium, he oversees a team of marine researchers who focused on safeguarding important species in the Caribbean region, including coral species and Queen Conch. Kessel also oversees Shedd’s Shark and Ray Research Program, which aims to monitor abundance and biodiversity of Caribbean populations, investigate movements and migrations in relation to spatial protections, and actively promote the recovery of some of the world’s most imperiled shark and ray species.
Kessel joined Shedd in 2017, bringing extensive experience across a wide range of marine species and a strong reputation in conservation science. Following the completion of his Ph.D., Kessel served as a postdoctoral fellow at Cardiff University, where he was principal investigator for the Jupiter Large Coastal Shark Species Study. He later led research with the Ocean Tracking Network and studied lake sturgeon movements in the Great Lakes with Michigan State University.
Kessel has conducted in a wide-variety of marine habitats, including the Red Sea, high Arctic, Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.