Rachel Forbes has been captivated by sharks since childhood, and now she’s turning that passion into purpose through deep-sea research on the Greenland shark.

Where are you from? If you're from outside the province, what do you like about St. John’s or Newfoundland?

I am from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Since moving to St. John’s for my graduate studies in 2022, I’ve loved getting the opportunity to experience the various cultures, history, landscapes, and wildlife within Newfoundland and Labrador.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I enjoy being outside - whether that’s camping, bird watching, snorkelling, or tossing a frisbee with friends, you will likely find me soaking up some sunshine (or in the fog, but that doesn’t stop me!). I also love listening to live music, and I play the saxophone in the Gower Community Band.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

Since elementary school, I’ve had a huge fascination with sharks. I’ve known for most of my life that I wanted to become a marine biologist and research sharks. Pursuing a graduate degree turned that dream into reality!

Why did you choose Memorial University for your graduate studies?

I chose to attend Memorial University for the opportunity to study Greenland sharks. While searching for potential supervisors in universities across Canada and the world, I found Dr. Jonathan Fisher’s paper on Greenland sharks, and it immediately piqued my interest. I contacted him to express my ideas for how this research could be continued, and he agreed to take me on as a master’s student.

What is your research/thesis about? How do you describe your research to a general audience with no background in the field?

My thesis is about advancing knowledge of Greenland shark biogeography and life history traits in eastern Canada using non-invasive study methods. In collaboration with various research groups, local Arctic communities, and fisheries partners, we deployed underwater baited video cameras to the bottom of the ocean in the eastern Canadian Arctic and Subarctic. The cameras captured footage of the deep-sea and its biodiversity, including Greenland sharks. I used this footage to identify individual sharks based on unique markings, observe behaviour, and estimate regional abundances and natural mortality rates of this species.  

How would you describe your experience as a graduate student at Memorial?

Memorial has given me so many amazing opportunities that I wouldn’t have had anywhere else. For my data collection, I’ve been fortunate to have gone on three Arctic expeditions on fishing and research vessels, as well as some offshore expeditions in Newfoundland and Labrador. I’ve connected with research partners from various sectors and backgrounds, including government, Indigenous groups, fisheries enterprises, and non-profit organizations. I also enjoyed being involved in numerous societies/clubs, conferences and activities at Memorial. There’s something for everyone here!

What scholarships or awards have you received?

I am grateful to be the recipient of the 2024/25 Miller Graduate Scholarship at the Marine Institute.

Have you faced any challenges in life that you’ve overcome to pursue graduate studies?

The biggest challenge during my graduate studies has been keeping up the momentum. It can sometimes be overwhelming to focus on one big project over multiple years, but it helps to take it in bite-sized sections. Try working on the tasks that you can complete day by day, rather than fixating on a large end goal that seems too far away to accomplish.

What career path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?

I want to continue researching marine species for conservation and management efforts, with a preference for shark biogeography. I am confident that the skills I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made throughout my graduate program will help me achieve this goal.

What advice would you give to current or future graduate students?

If you are interested in a specific field of study or research team, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved. Gaining experiences, making connections, and learning new skills are key to advancing in your career. I recommend volunteering/working in your area of study and getting involved with school societies/clubs to broaden your experiences and network. 

Anything else you would like to share?

I’d like to thank everyone involved in this research and all the great friends and connections I’ve made since starting my program. St. John’s is a wonderful place to call home because of them.

Become a graduate student at Memorial. Apply online today!