Laboratory and underwater research
Clark graduated from Hunter College in 1942 and received her zoology doctorate from New York University in 1950. She combined laboratory studies of living fishes with prolonged observations in environments including the Red Sea and Pacific islands.
References: [1]
Testing shark learning
Beginning in 1958, Clark trained large sharks in experimental pools to touch a target for a food reward and later to distinguish targets of different shapes and colours. These repeatable tasks made learning an experimentally observable response rather than a conclusion drawn from sharks’ fearsome public image.
References: [1]
Building a marine laboratory
With Vanderbilt family support, Clark opened Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Placida, Florida, in 1955. Fisherman Beryl Chadwick assisted with collecting and maintaining fishes. Renamed Mote Marine Laboratory in 1967, the institution developed beyond its original small facility. Clark later taught at the University of Maryland while continuing her research.
References: [1]