Toby S. Daly-Engel

Toby S. Daly-Engel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology, where she has conducted research since Fall 2017 after previously serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of West Florida. Her work integrates genomics, field ecology, and modeling to investigate shark population dynamics, mating systems, and climate change impacts.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Zoology (Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology) from the University of Hawaii (2009)
• M.S. in Zoology from the University of Hawaii (2007)
• B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College (2000)

Dr. Daly-Engel's research focuses on how reproductive behaviors—particularly from the female fitness perspective—interact with environmental factors to shape species evolution and population structures. She employs molecular ecology techniques to study cryptic species identification, movement patterns in migratory fishes under rising temperatures, and shark habitat use. Her lab actively promotes diversity in marine science, especially for women of color.

Her recent publications (2021-2022) reveal a concentrated research trajectory in elasmobranch population genetics, with recurring themes of dispersal patterns, mating systems, and conservation genomics. These works bridge marine biology, evolutionary genetics, and ecological modeling to address critical conservation challenges facing shark species.

As director of the Florida Tech Shark Conservation Lab, she collaborates extensively with state/federal agencies (NOAA, FWC), NGOs, and public groups. A sought-after media expert, she has appeared in National Geographic's Shark Week, The New York Times, and FOX News to advocate for evidence-based shark terminology (e.g., replacing 'shark attacks' with 'negative encounters') and advance women's representation in STEM fields.