Mikki McComb-Kobza

Today my TEDxBoulder talk officially went live. When I was a kid, the movie Jaws made me terrified of sharks. Instead of staying afraid, I started learning about them — and that curiosity eventually led me to become a shark biologist. In this talk I share how fear can transform into fascination, and why that shift matters for the future of sharks and our ocean. If you have a few minutes, I’d love for you to watch it. 🎤 Watch my TEDx Talk — link in bio. @tedxboulder #TEDx #TEDxBoulder #SharkScience #OceanConservation

From first steps… to a lifetime of impact. At the Explorers Club, we witnessed the full spectrum of what exploration can be. At the NGEN Symposium, some of the brightest emerging scientists and storytellers took the stage—sharing bold ideas that spanned sharks, space, mountains, and remote island communities. Their work isn’t just advancing science—it’s shaping how the world understands and connects to it. And at the same time, we celebrated a lifetime of extraordinary conservation leadership, honoring those who have protected millions of acres and redefined what impact looks like at scale. From beginnings to legacy… from curiosity to action… this is the continuum that moves our world forward. It was a powerful reminder that exploration today is not just about discovery. It’s about responsibility. To protect. To connect. To tell the stories that inspire change. We left energized, inspired, and deeply hopeful for what comes next. #ExplorersClub #OceanFirstInstitute #Conservation #NextGeneration #exploration

Honored to attend the Explorers Club Annual Dinner with Ocean First Institute and witness Kris Tompkins receive one of the highest honors in exploration. Her message was simple and powerful: species have intrinsic value—and our responsibility is to ensure they survive. Through her work, millions of acres have been protected and restored, allowing ecosystems to recover and wildlife to return. A profound reminder of what’s possible when vision, courage, and commitment come together in service of the natural world. Deeply inspiring. 💙 #OceanFirstInstitute #ConservationLeadership #tompkinsconservation #ExplorersClub

What an extraordinary way to end the semester teaching Shark Biology & Conservation at CU Boulder. I came into this class hoping to share my love for sharks, ocean conservation, and the importance of protecting these incredible animals. I’m leaving with far more than I ever expected. Today my students completely surprised me with flowers, kindness, and so much appreciation. I was deeply moved. This semester has been one of the most meaningful teaching experiences of my career. Watching students grow curious, engaged, passionate, and willing to become voices for sharks has been incredibly rewarding. A special thank you as well to Gary Staab and @ecology.ethan for sharing their expertise and helping make this class such a rich experience for the students. My heart is full. Thank you, CU Boulder, for an unforgettable semester. 🦈💛 #CUBoulder #SharkBiology #OceanConservation #SharkConservation #MarineScience

Still reflecting on a remarkable weekend at the Explorers Club Annual Dinner (ECAD), surrounded by explorers, visionaries, and champions for our blue planet. Grateful for the conversations, the laughter, and the enduring inspiration of those who continue to lead the way. ✨

There’s nothing quite like watching the ocean come to you… Deploying our 360° BRUVs off Cocos Island and suddenly—silvertip sharks glide into frame, curious and confident, circling and following the camera like they know something is up. But here’s what makes this unreal— because it’s 360°, we follow them back. As the shark moves, we move with it… turning, tracking, staying right in the moment. It’s not just footage—you’re in it. This is exactly why we do this. Baited remote underwater video systems draw animals in, giving us a rare window into how sharks move through and investigate their environment—capturing interactions we’d almost never see otherwise. And sometimes… it turns into moments like this. Thanks to @finsattached for supporting the expedition run under scientific permits #CocosIsland #SharkScience #BRUVS #SilvertipShark #OceanFirstInstitute

There are moments in the ocean that change you. At El Diablo dive site off Costa Rica I had the privilege of encountering this manta ray multiple times during our research expedition with @finsattached and on this dive, it found me again. You can see the tag the team deployed on its back left side as it glides overhead. But what you can’t fully capture on video is what it felt like. It turned toward me. It unfurled its cephalic lobes. It looked at me—and I know, without question, that it was aware. Curious. Present. In that moment, it wasn’t just observation. It was connection. These are the experiences that stay with you. You leave something of yourself behind in the ocean… and you carry something of that animal with you forever. I will never forget this manta. 💕 Research conducted under appropriate permits. Deeply grateful to be part of work that allows both science and connection to coexist. #MantaRay #CocosIsland #OceanConnection #finsattached

Skadoosh! These swimmer crabs were caught on camera Kung Fu Fighting making our BRUV their kwoon. This BRUV is one of the cameras we deployed in the ocean by Cocos Island, Costa Rica. These crabs are super cool because they have a fifth pair of legs that act like paddles helping them to swim fast in the ocean. Their claws (also called pincers) are no joke- and are often used for protection, communication, and attracting mates. 🦀 Crabs have exoskeletons which act like a type of armor protecting all the soft inner body parts. This padding is like a special body protection which is made up of calcium carbonate - the same thing our bodies and teeth have! Some crab species have one really large pincer such as the fiddler crab. Instead of Kung Fu masters we would imagine they’d be more like boxing champions. Float like a crab, sting like a pincer! 💥 We love that BRUVs can observe the ocean world without human interference. We simply set up a camera and check on it later and often get crystal clear footage of creatures in their habitat. “Your mind is like this water my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.” - Master Oogway 📍Observed at Cocoa Island, Costa Rica #BRUV #Crab #KungFu #Crab #SwimmerCrabs

They survived everything… but can they survive us? Sharks have been on this planet for over 450 million years. They’ve lived through five mass extinctions. Even the one that wiped out the dinosaurs. And yet… Today, their greatest threat isn’t nature. It’s us. An ocean without sharks isn’t safer — it’s the scariest ocean I can imagine. 🎤 From my talk at TEDx Boulder, an independently organized TED event. If this changed how you see sharks, share it. Full talk link in bio. #TEDx #TEDxBoulder #Sharks #conservation

I just learned of her passing. Her work was extraordinary and ground breaking. Last year I saw her on stage receiving an Explorers Club medal for her dedication and meaningful work. She was humble. The world knows more about orangutans because of her. She fought for them. What a wonderful and purposeful life.

Watching Nick out there today was everything. 🌊 Surfing has been his dream… and today he did it. Paddled out, caught waves, and just thrived. There’s something incredible about watching your kid step into something they’ve always wanted — not just try it, but truly feel it. So proud of him. So grateful to share this ocean life together. 💙 #SurfCostaRica #JacoBeach #NextGeneration #OceanLife

Jacó beach gave me my dream. 🌊 Paddled out, listened to the rhythm of the Pacific… and caught some waves. It was my day and I loved every minute. I fell off, I got wailed and felt like I was in a washing machine. But when it was good and I got up it felt supreme. The power of the ocean. What a ride. Pure joy. Pure connection. #JacoBeach #SurfCostaRica #OceanSoul #WomenWhoSurf #PacificOcean