Lisa-ann Gershwin is an American-Australian biologist specializing in the study of jellyfish. Her research has transformed the global scientific understanding of these creatures. She has described over 200 jellyfish species and co-authored several scientific and popular books, including “Stung!” (2013), “Jellyfish – A Natural History” (2016), and “Shapeshifters: The Wondrous World of Jellyfish” (2023). Gershwin provides independent consulting on jellyfish for media outlets, online resources, and The Jellyfish App, and in 2021, she ran for public office in Tasmania. More at los-angeles.name.
Biography
Lisa-ann Gershwin was born in Los Angeles, California. From childhood, she showed an extraordinary curiosity about the world around her. She grew up in the small town of Valley of Enchantment in the mountains near Los Angeles, where she was free to explore nature: catching insects and lizards, fascinated by everything that surrounded her. This environment was ideal for the future scientist, although she initially leaned more toward botany or herpetology.
On January 21, 1973, Gershwin discovered marine invertebrates. Her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Downs, took her class to the Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro every year. While most children were captivated by whales and dolphins, Lisa-ann was drawn to the scorpions, crabs, and octopuses. It was then she realized that marine biology would be her life’s calling. However, growing up brought a collision with reality. People she respected warned her that success would require long years of study and difficult courses, and that jobs in the field were rare and low-paying. This temporarily led Gershwin to seek other paths to find the same sense of wonder that marine creatures gave her. A pivotal day came on December 22, 1992, when a change of plans led her marine biology class on its final field trip of the semester to the Cabrillo Marine Museum—and there were jellyfish. This chance encounter sparked the beginning of her passionate love for these creatures. She entered graduate school at Berkeley and received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Australia. In 2005, Gershwin earned her Ph.D. from James Cook University in Queensland.
Scientific Career
Gershwin worked for several scientific organizations, including CSIRO from 2012 to 2019. She developed a system for predicting blooms of the dangerous Irukandji jellyfish in northern Queensland. Her team discovered that the blooms were linked to salp blooms, which were triggered by upwelling water after winds died down. In December 2017, Gershwin identified a specific Irukandji species by testing waters along the northern beaches of Cairns.
Lisa has described over nine species of Irukandji, including *Malo kingi* and *Malo maxima*, as well as the giant species *Keesingia gigas*, which was discovered without tentacles. She co-authored the description of the unique jellyfish *Bazinga rieki*, the sole member of the new family Bazingidae, named in part after Dr. Sheldon Cooper’s catchphrase from the TV series “The Big Bang Theory.” In 2014, Gershwin studied a giant jellyfish measuring 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) in diameter that was found near Hobart.
Publications
Her 2013 book “Stung!” details the diversity and adaptability of jellyfish, exploring their population growth as a result of overfishing, pollution, and changes to the marine environment. Gershwin argues that halting this process is nearly impossible. Her 2016 book, “Jellyfish – A Natural History,” is a 224-page volume covering their anatomy, life cycles, taxonomy, and ecology, complete with photographs. In 2023, she released “Shapeshifters: The Wondrous World of Jellyfish.”
Gershwin also wrote for “The Conversation” (2015–2016), published reviews for “Nature” (2017), and provides media commentary on jellyfish blooms. In 2014, she was interviewed by “Scientific American,” and was later featured as an expert in an article concerning CSIRO funding. In 2017, Lisa commented on a jellyfish bloom in Deception Bay, calling it the largest she had seen in 25 years of observation.
Personal Life
In 2010, Lisa-ann was diagnosed with autism (Asperger’s syndrome) and also struggled with depression. As a result, she spent over a year and a half in recovery, living within the shelter system in Launceston and Hobart, all while volunteering at CSIRO. She also relied on government support (Centrelink), which served as a safety net, but the real relief came from regaining her independence and stability.
In 2021, Gershwin ran for parliament as an independent candidate and she runs her own small business dedicated to glow-in-the-dark natural phenomena. She openly shares her experiences to highlight the importance of inclusion and understanding for neurodivergent people in modern society.
Contribution to Science
Lisa-ann Gershwin has successfully combined field, lab, and consulting work, creating a unique system for monitoring jellyfish blooms. Her research on the dangerous Irukandji, giant species, and the unique *Bazinga rieki* has changed the scientific understanding of Cnidaria. This work helps shape global taxonomy, ecology, and marine conservation efforts. Lisa-ann Gershwin remains one of the most influential figures in the world of jellyfish. Her work is recognized in scientific, public, and popular circles, and her books and research continue to educate professionals and students worldwide.