Conservation Conversations
WAVE Foundation's Community Learning Series
Join us in learning about aquatic life and conservation in our Conservation Conversation Series!
We invite industry professionals to talk about their topics of study relating to aquatic creatures, environments, and conversation. These events are open to the public and perfect for high school or college students, or any adult with a passion for learning!
Previous Session Recap
Shark Ray 360
with
Jen Hazares and Jolene HannaIn Spring 2025, Jen and Jolene traveled to Singapore as part of a consortium called Shark Ray 360. Shark Ray 360 is made up of researchers and biologists committed to Shark Ray conservation on a global scale.
We learned about how Shark Ray conservation became a global cause because of Sweet Pea, the first Shark Ray in North America that lived right here at the Newport Aquarium!
Shark Rays are classified as a Critically Endangered species. The contributions that Jen and Jolene have made towards the protection of this species includes databases of global populations, manuals and guides on the care of Shark Rays, and cellular studies that have been critical in the research and success of breeding programs.
Past Speakers
Jolene Hanna
Jolene Hanna is the Animal Health and Quarantine Manager for the Newport Aquarium. This job includes management of the Aquarium’s Veterinary Hospital, which she has been dedicated to for 23 years. She came to the aquarium industry as an intern completing her Veterinary Technicians course work and has been a resource to the Newport Aquarium Animal Care Team ever since. The combination of her science and medical background has been a true advantage for adapting to the world of animal care in the zoological setting.
Jen Hazares
Jen Hazeres is a senior biologist at the Newport Aquarium. Jen manages the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit at the aquarium which currently houses 2 Bowmouth Guitarfish (Shark Rays) as well as several other species of elasmobranchs. She is the AZA studbook keeper for Rhina ancylostoma and has written the first, second, and third editions of their AZA Regional Studbook, as well as the first Breeding and Transfer Plan in 2020. She is a co-author of The Elasmobranch Husbandry Manual II, Chapter 8, ‘Husbandry of Bowmouth Guitarfish’, and ‘Observations of Reproductive Behaviors in the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish’, 2024. Jen is a participant in Shark Ray 360 (SR360), a global consortium focused on Bowmouth conservation. Jen is also a co-contributor of the Bowmouth Guitarfish global studbook through the SR360 consortium.
Dr. Chris Lorentz
Dr. Chris Lorentz has taught at Thomas More University for 30+ years, serving as Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Environmental Science Program. He teaches a variety of classes, including Aquatic Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, and General Biology, among others. Dr. Lorentz also serves as the Director of the university's Ohio River Biology Field Station. His research focuses on bioassessments of aquatic ecosystems, conservation of threatened and endangered species, and ecotoxicology. Dr. Lorentz was a former Chair of WAVE Foundation Board and Past President of the Organization of Biological Field Stations— an international society, comprising over 225 member stations from 20 countries and 6 continents, that focuses on environmental research and public understanding of science. He was recently elected as Chair of the Ohio River Basin Alliance, a nonprofit organization working to set water resource priorities for the Ohio River Basin, sustain healthy ecosystems and communities, and improve our water-dependent economies.
Molly Williams
Molly Williams, Manager of the Thomas More University Biology Field Station, began her career at a small liberal arts college in Michigan where she majored in Biology and minored in Spanish. During her undergraduate studies, Molly worked as a River Bioassessment Intern at the Ohio River Biology Field Station, served as the Sustainability Coordinator for the University of Michigan Alumni Association's family camp, and conducted her senior thesis research on the impacts of agricultural land use on stream biology. After graduating, Molly returned to the Ohio River Biology Field Station to work as the fist-ever, full-time staff, where she oversees the Station's STEM outreach and laboratory programs.