FAU Receives $1.3M NOAA Grant to Study Harmful Algal Blooms
Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has received a $1.3 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to investigate the environmental and biological drivers of recurring and prolonged harmful algal blooms (HABs) in subtropical estuaries. Led by Mingshun Jiang, Ph.D., the interdisciplinary project brings together researchers from FAU, the University of Georgia, and the University of South Florida, to compare HABs dynamics in Florida’s Northern Indian River Lagoon and Georgia’s Skidaway River Estuary.
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FAU Harbor Branch Study Finds Hawaiian Corals Respond Differently to Ocean Heat
Researchers from FAU Harbor Branch and the University of Hawaiʻi examined how two common Hawaiian reef-building corals respond to ocean heat. The findings provide providing new insight into coral and coastline resilience as marine heat events become more frequent and intense.
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Gulf Research Expedition Collects Valuable Samples, Data to Support Mesophotic Reef Study
In August, a research team from Florida Atlantic, Florida State University, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association embarked on a research expedition aboard the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium research vessel, the R/V Point Sur. This was the second of four research cruises funded by a nearly $1 million grant from the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program to study the influences of key nutrient sources on mesophotic coral ecosystems along the west Florida shelf.
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Blue Ops to Bring Maritime Defense Operations to FAU Harbor Branch
Florida Atlantic University and Blue Ops have established a strategic partnership that will bring the company’s uncrewed maritime systems operations to FAU Harbor Branch, creating a hub for research, development, testing, training and collaboration in ocean technology, autonomous systems and national defense.
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Fin of the Month: JETT
Meet JETT, an Indian River Lagoon dolphin. The FAU Harbor Branch marine mammal team spotted him in the Harbor Branch channel in July with severe injuries from an apparent boat strike. After months of searching, the team spotted him again -- healing and with friends -- near a creek in Sebastian.
Read on to learn more about the remarkable resilience of this IRL dolphin.
If you see a marine mammal in distress, call the FWC hotline (888) 404-3922.
All work conducted under NOAA NMFS permit #29340. |
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Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows
Through support from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, the Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship helps students pursue research that advances scientific understanding of the lagoon. Each year, the fellows gather for a festive photo-op to showcase their research focus. From seagrass restoration to plankton and harmful algal blooms to aquaculture and more, their work is contributing to the long-term protection and conservation of the IRL. |
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| Pictured from left: Valentina Gomez, Olivia Ruchti, Devin Mathias, Christina "Paige" Calkins, Madison Bennett, and Alexis Base |
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Great Pumpkin Over the Lagoon Contest
FAU Harbor Branch announced the winners of its 14th annual Great Pumpkin Over the Lagoon Contest.
- First Place: "Rising on the Tide" Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab
- Second Place: "Deep-Seeded Fear" Team Alexis, Abby and Ipa
- Third Place: "IRLON Spirit Animal" Team IRLON (Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network)
First place holds the great pumpkin award for one year. Runners up earn bragging rights! |
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MOA Students Dive into Environmental Management
The Fort Pierce Westwood Academy's Marine and Oceanographic Academy students began their year-long Indian River Lagoon survey project. Part of an advanced environmental management course, the students took measurements in the field to gather data about water quality parameters and biodiversity. |
Junior Scientist Fellows Collect Data on IRL Indicator Species
The Junior Scientist Fellows have begun their field season. One student team is studying the estimated population size of mangrove periwinkle snails at the Coastal Oaks Preserve. Over the next 12 weeks, students will calculate the estimated population size using mark-and-recapture methods on the snails each week. These findings will help the Indian River Land Trust determine the best management strategies for this indicator species’ mangrove habitat. |
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Marine Energy Survey
Did you know the Gulf Stream - one of the world's strongest currents - can flow up to 5.6 miles per hour and move nearly 4 billion cubic feet of water every second from Florida to Europe? At FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center, researchers are harnessing this powerful force of nature into energy solutions for Florida's coastal communities.
Help shape the future of marine energy in Florida by taking a quick, 10-question survey. |
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$5M WLW Seed4Solutions Grant Program
The newly launched WLW Seed4Solutions Grant Program—made possible by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner— is now accepting Letters of Interest, featuring a $5 million total funding pool designed to support practical, research-based, near-term solutions addressing Southeast Florida’s environmental challenges. Letter of Interest deadline is Dec. 11.
Blue/Ocean Ambassador Opportunities
Two blue/ocean economy ambassador programs are now open to Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students from all majors. The programs are offered in partnership with Marine Research Hub, Ocean Exchange, and Florida Atlantic's ECOS and Entrepreneurship Institute, with funding support from VentureWell and Wayne and Lucretia Weiner.
WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship
Applications open for the WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship, providing junior and senior Schmidt College of Science majors with up to $7,500 per semester in need-based support. Full-time undergraduate students with a passion for solution-oriented environmental research are encouraged to apply through Scholarship Universe by the Dec. 4 deadline. Learn more.
WLW-ECOS Paid Internship Opportunities
Rolling application window for fall or spring. The Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) paid internships provide student stipends while they complete degree-related career experiences at local, well-established nonprofit environment-linked organizations. Learn more. |
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| FAU Harbor Branch's outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. In addition, FAU Harbor Branch scientists share their expertise through public lectures and workshops. |
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