Amy Kukulya, senior AUV operations engineer at WHOI. (Image credit: WHOI)

A senior engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Amy Kukulya, is testifying today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s sharks hearing.

According to WHOI, “the hearing will examine innovations in shark research techniques and technology being used to improve American lives by increasing our understanding of oceans and fisheries, creating new innovations in engineering, and searching for medical breakthroughs. Kukulya and her colleagues at WHOI’s Oceanographic Systems Lab developed SharkCam, a robotic underwater system used to track and film tagged sharks in their natural environment with support from The Discovery Channel. Since 2013, SharkCam has made several appearances on The Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week, which will begin its 30th season later this month. Kukulya’s testimony will highlight SharkCam’s foundation in technology originally funded by the U.S. Navy, its growth thanks to substantial private investment, and its potential to help advance scientific research that will improve the future of sharks and the health of the ocean.”

Hearing witnesses include: Dr. Al Dove, Vice President, Research and Conservation, Georgia Aquarium; Dr. Robert Hueter, Senior Scientist and Director of the Center for Shark Research, Mote Marine Laboratory; Amy Kukulya, Principal Investigator and Senior AUV Operations Engineer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Dr. Cheryl Wilga, Professor and Director of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Watch the livestream of the hearing at https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/.