L.K. Ward SCUBA diving in blue water

L.K. Ward

L.K. Ward is a former science writer for the Ocean Portal and a graduate of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California. Currently an Earth Science Video Producer for NASA, L.K. worked as a science writer chronicling National Geographic scientific and exploratory expeditions around the world prior to joining the Smithsonian team. If L.K. had to choose a favorite animal, it would be Tylosaurus - because who doesn’t love giant prehistoric ocean dinosaurs.

Contributed Content

15 Creatures in the Gulf of Mexico that are Stranger Than Fiction

A close-up image of deep-sea fish Argyropelecus aculeatus

How Realistic is the Shark Science in "The Shallows"?

A great white shark in the waters of the coast of Guadelupe, Mexico.

What’s the Ocean Worth...in Dollars?

An orange sunset over the ocean.

These Sleek, Sexy Cars Were All Inspired by Fish

A Chevrolet Mako Corvette

Meet the Tiny Bacteria That Give Anglerfishes Their Spooky Glow

A close up profile of an adult anglerfish female from the Linophryne family collected in the northern region of the Gulf of Mexico. © 2016 DEEPEND/ Dante Fenolio

Swap Your Turkey for a “Turkeyfish” This Thanksgiving

A lionfish dish is laid out and ready to eat.

Seeing with Sound: Acoustic monitoring of beaked whales

A beaked whale at the ocean's surface

Unearthing History: Mary Anning's Hunt for Prehistoric Ocean Giants

Although in reality an ichthyosaur and plesiosaur would have likely never battled, this widely shared lithograph by artist, geologist and paleontologist Henry De la Beche even inspired author Jules Verne to pen a similar scene in his book, Journey to the C

Live Stream Event: Dispatches From the Gulf

A shrimp boat fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

Nature’s Secret Weapon Against Climate Change

These schools of colorful reef fish call Raja Ampat, the global centre of fish diversity, home.

Our Favorite Water Pokémon and Their Real-Life Doppelgängers

Illustration of a real oarfish vs the Pokémon counterpart.

Why Are We So Afraid of Sharks? It Could Be the Background Music

An underwater photo of sharks

What We're Reading 10/21

Colorful corals are disappearing in the Great Barrier Reef.