Dr. Tracy Fanara

Some of the most viral and mysterious phenomena on our planet, from strange clouds in the sky to unexplained shark behavior and bizarre hurricane tracks, often spark speculation before science has a chance to weigh in. In this interactive presentation, environmental engineer, and science communicator Dr. Tracy Fanara investigates real-world mysteries using live demonstrations and evidence-based reasoning. Together, we’ll test phenomena from the bottom of the sea to space. Along the way, the audience becomes part of the investigation, turning curiosity into experiments and mysteries into measurable science.

Dr. Tracy Fanara is an environmental engineer, research scientist, stormchaser and television host with a BS, ME, and PhD from the University of Florida’s College of Environmental Engineering. With an unorthodox approach to investigation, Tracy solves the problems no one else can by doing things no one else does. Tracy has a versatile background from trapping and saving alligators, tagging sharks, and mapping the ocean floor, to designing water systems all over the world, developing water treatment technology for earth and space, and designing community science programs and apps to obtain environmental data to solve scientific mysteries. Tracy has international media recognition due to her expertise in hydrology and harmful algae blooms during the Florida Water crises. Tracy is now a scientist at the Nation’s Environmental Intelligence Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) where she works to understand earth systems and provide information needed to protect human lives and livelihoods from threats in a changing world. Tracy co-produces a STEM comic book called “Seekers of Science” and runs the STEM Summer Camp, Mission: Tampa Bay. You may have seen Tracy on Science Channel’s Mythbusters and What On Earth?, National Geographic’s SharkFest solving mysteries of shark bites, Weather Channel’s Weird Earth, FOX Weather or CBS; in Marvels Unstoppable Wasp, or as Xylem YSI’s Mission Water, Water Hero. Tracy is on a mission to share career journey and love for science and environment with students throughout the country.