Research Interests
I am an applied conservation biologist with over 20 years of experience researching endangered species and advancing marine ecosystem restoration. My primary research focuses upon the biology, behavior, abundance, and movement of sharks using novel methodologies. I use a multiple-stakeholder strategy to advance science-based conservation initiatives across disciplines. I have led and participated in 40 marine research expeditions, including the regions of Darwin, Cape Town, Manaus, Hong Kong, Nova Scotia, Belize and the eastern coast of the United States. I am the co-founder and Executive Director of Ocean First Institute, a Boulder-based nonprofit dedicated to marine research, conservation, and education. The Institute has reached thousands of students in local Front Range schools, as well as 170,000 students in 35 countries and 46 US states. The Institute has received national recognition for establishing high-profile conservation projects and providing compelling educational programming. My research has been broadcast by the BBC, National Geographic Society, Discovery Channel Shark Week, and CBC National Radio Canada. I am the President-Elect of the American Elasmobranch Society and a National Fellow of The Explorer’s Club.
Publications
McComb-Kobza, D.M., Fotso Tagne, J., Madigan, D., Heuter, R.E., Newton, H., Franks, B. Fisher, C., McBride, B., and Hussey, N.E. 2021. Occurrence and intensity of seal claw marks indicate potentially high and aggressive white shark-pinniped interaction rates in Atlantic Canada. In Prep.
Zanella, I., Lopez-Garro, A., McComb-Kobza. D.M., Golfin-Duarte, G., Perez-Montero, M., and Morales, J. 2016. First record of young-of-year scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini (Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrnidae) from Isla Del Coco National Park, Costa Rica. International Journal of Tropical Biology, 64:201-204.
Abreu, J.S., Brinn, R.P., Gomes, L.C., McComb, D.M., Baldisserotto, B., Zaiden, S.F., Urbinati, E.C., and Marcon, J.L. 2014. Effect of beta 1,3 glucan in stress responses of the pencilfish (Nannostomus trifasciatus) during transport within the Rio Negro basin. Neotropical Ichthyology, 12:623-628.
Brown, C.L., Urbinati, E.C., Zhang, W., Brown, S.B., and D.M. McComb-Kobza. 2014. Maternal Thyroid and Glucocorticoid Hormone Interactions in Larval Fish Development, and Their Applications in Aquaculture. Review in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture. 22: 207-220.
Bernardo, B., Brinn, R.P., Brandão, F.R., Gomes, L.C., Abreu, J.S., McComb, D.M and J.L. Marcon. 2014. Ion flux of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz) during transportation with tetracycline, tetracycline+salt or Amquel®. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 30:86-92.
Bedore, C.N., McComb, D.M., Frank, T.F., Hueter, R.E. and Kajiura, S.M. 2013. Effects of temperature and anesthesia on visual temporal resolution in elasmobranch fishes. Abstract Integrative and Comparative Biology, 53 (Suppl. 1): E12
Bedore, C.B., Loew, E.R., Frank, T.M., Hueter, R.E., McComb, D.M. and Kajiura, S.M. 2013. A physiologic analysis of color vision in batoid elasmobranchs. Journal of Comparative Physiology.199:1129-1141.
Jordan, L.J., Mandleman, J., McComb, D.M., Fordham, S. Carlson, J. and T. Werner. 2013. Linking sensory biology and fisheries bycatch reduction in elasmobranch fishes: a review with new directions for research. Conservation Physiology. 1:1-20.
McComb, D.M., Frank, T.M., Horodysky, A.Z., Kajiura, S.M. 2013. Comparative visual function in predatory fishes from the Indian River Lagoon. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. 86: 285-297.
Brinn, R.P., Marcon J.L, McComb, D.M., Gomes, L.C., Abreu, J. S., Baldisseroto, B. 2012. Stress responses of the endemic freshwater cururu stingray (Potamotrygon cf. histrix) during transportation in the Amazon region of the Rio Negro. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A. 162:139-145.
McComb, D.M., Frank, T.M., Hueter, R.E., Kajiura, S.M. 2010. Temporal resolution and spectral sensitivity of the visual system of three coastal shark species from different light environments. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 83:299-307 (with cover).
McComb, D.M., Tricas, T., Kajiura, S.M. 2009. Enhanced Visual Fields in Hammerhead Sharks. Journal of Experimental Biology, 212:4010-4018.
Gomez, L., Brinn, R., Marcon, J., Dantas, L., Brandao, F., Abreu, J., Lemos, P., McComb, D., Baldisserotto, B. 2008. The benefits of using probiotic Efinol-L during transportation of cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz) in Amazon. Aquaculture Research. 208:1-9.
Gomez, L., Brinn, R., Marcon, J., Araujo, L., Brandao, F., Abreu, J., McComb, D., Baldisserotto, B. 2008. Using Efinol-L during transportation of marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata (Gunther). Aquaculture Research. 39:1292-1298.
McComb, D.M., and S.M. Kajiura. 2008. Visual fields of four batoid fishes: a comparative study. Journal of Experimental Biology. 211:482-490.
Schwab, I.R. and McComb, D.M. 2007. Keeping a cool head. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 91:138 (with cover).
McComb, D.M., Gelsleichter, J., Manire, C.A., Brinn, R., and Brown, C.L. 2005. Comparative thyroid hormone concentration in maternal serum and yolk of the bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) from two sites along the coast of Florida. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 144:167-173 (with cover).