November 2018
Upcoming Events

Wed., Dec. 5
Multiple Perspectives are Needed for Effective Conservation
Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
Harbor Branch
7 p.m.

Thurs., Dec. 6
Blood Drive
Just in time for cool weather, all donors receive a fleece blanket. Sign up online here with sponsor code 9904. 
Harbor Branch courtyard
8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Take a tour of FAU Harbor Branch!
Click here to learn more

Monitor Effects of Discharges from Lake Okeechobee
Click here to access LOBOViz. 
Mark Your Calendars!
2019 Ocean Science Lecture Series Offers Exciting Line-Up
The John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series provides a forum for the community at large to learn about Harbor Branch's most recent discoveries directly from the scientists who made them. The invited speakers from other institutions are colleagues who work on topics relevant to our Harbor Branch research themes.



January 9            Harbor Branch: Looking Forward
                          Jim Sullivan, FAU Harbor Branch
January 16          Plastic Marine Debris and the Ocean Carbon Cycle
                           Tracy Mincer, FAU Harbor Branch & Wilkes Honor College
January 23            Natural Products: Double Edged Swords?
                          Amy Wright, FAU Harbor Branch
January 30          Mission Ocean Discovery: An Overview of Outreach at FAU Harbor Branch
                          Gabby Barbarite, FAU Harbor Branch
February 6           DNAngling – Molecular Identification of Fish in the Indian River Lagoon
                          Nick Dickens, FAU Harbor Branch
February 13         Ocean Entrées: Eat your Sea Vegetables!
                          Megan Davis, FAU Harbor Branch
February 20         The Junior Scientists Program: Research by the Next Generation to Preserve Our Natural Resources for All Generations
                          M. Dennis Hanisak, FAU Harbor Branch
February 27         Investigating the Deep Pelagic Animals in the Northern Gulf of Mexico after the BP Oil Spill
                          Jon Moore, FAU Wilkes Honor College
March 6             Using Remote Sensing Technologies to Detect Harmful Algal Blooms
                         Tim Moore, University of New Hampshire
March 13           Extending Soil Conservation to the Sea: Marine Sediments as the Next Frontier!
                         Jordon Beckler, FAU Harbor Branch

Lectures are held in the Johnson Education Center auditorium on the Harbor Branch campus, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce. Lectures will be will be held at weekly starting Jan. 9 through March 13 at 7 p.m., followed by a meet-the-speaker reception. There is no charge to attend. For more information on series click here.

In the coming year, FAU Harbor Branch seeks additional support to expand the scholarly offerings by inviting high-profile, distinguished scientists and engineers to join the 2019 lecture series. In addition to their public presentations, visiting scholars will meet with FAU Harbor Branch staff and students to discuss the technical side of their work. This will provide unique networking and learning opportunities for our staff and students during their visit.
Gifts to support these visits are being solicited with a minimal donation of $1,000. That amount will typically support all travel costs associated with the visit (i.e., air fares, car rental, hotel, food expenses) and honorariums. Donors for a lecture will be acknowledged at the beginning of the lecture and in the printed OSLS program. 

To become a sponsor for the 2019 Ocean Science Lecture Series, click here for more information.
Education
HBOI Student Named Sunrise Rotary Dritenbas Environment Scholarship Winner

Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach awarded its 2nd annual environmental scholarship this October, named after the late Sunrise Rotary member Paul Dritenbas. Paul was a champion for the Indian River Lagoon. He established the Lagoon Oyster Mat project and designed buoys that withstand storm surges, which currently mark and protect submerged sea grass areas in the lagoon.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute was again chosen to award the scholarship and search for worthy candidates. The applications were reviewed and judged by the Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Committee, which included Paul’s wife, Cathy.

Amelia “Grace” Roskar, the 2018 recipient of the Paul Dritenbas Memorial Scholarship, is a master’s student at Florida Atlantic University working in Dr. Matthew Ajemian’s Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Click here to read more.

Research
Page-Karjian Finds Evidence of Inorganic Contaminants from the Salt Glands of Leatherback Sea Turtles 
It's the first published documentation of leatherback salt gland histology. Researchers from the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Medicine and Research Program at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) working in collaboration with the Loggerhead Marine Life Center found a non-invasive way to measure inorganic contaminants in the salt secretions from leatherback sea turtles.
Annie Page-Karjian, DVM, Ph.D., a veterinary scientist at HBOI led the team that collected salt gland secretion samples from the eyes of nesting leatherback sea turtles. Researchers found the tears contained high levels of toxicants, such as cadmium and mercury. The group also took samples from dead turtles and found similar toxins also accumulate in the salt glands.

The study titled, " Evidence of accumulation and elimination of inorganic contaminants from the lachrymal salt glands of leatherback sea turtles (dermochelys coriacea)" is published in Chemosphere journal. Click here to read more.

P ictured Above: Graphical Abstract (Photo credit: Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., FAU Biological Sciences)  All procedures were in adherence to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Turtle Permit #211.
Call for Submissions: 2019 Indian River Lagoon Symposium
The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Symposium is the result of a multi-institutional, multi-agency effort to provide a forum for discussing Indian River Lagoon science and its application to management of the lagoon. The symposium is open to scientists, decision makers, students, education and outreach professionals, and the interested public. The intent is to facilitate better communication among these groups so that the gaps between research and its application can be narrowed.  
 
The theme for the 2019 symposium is  Indian River Lagoon: Quo Vadis?  “Quo Vadis?” literally means: “Where are you going?". With all of the changes we have seen in the Lagoon over recent years, we seek to address questions like: Are we making any progress? Have we reached a tipping point?  

The technical program on February 7 will include oral presentations and posters on current scientific research on all aspects of science relating to the IRL and its management. Although this meeting is open to anyone interested in sharing their knowledge, activities and ideas, contributions by university students and early-career professionals are encouraged. Applications to present are due by November 30. You can find more information here.

A public forum will be held on Friday, February 8.  The forum in 2019 is focused on  Engaging the Public: What Are the Counties Doing?  – how the public can learn more about and participate in what the five counties along the Lagoon are doing to restore it. 
Details of the forum will be posted by December 31, 2018, here.

Sullivan and Schaefer Reveal the Truth about Harmful Algae Blooms
FAU’s Harbor Branch Executive Director Jim Sullivan and Epidemiologist Adam Schaefer are leading the charge to uncover the truth about the toxic algae blooms turning our waters green.
Outreach
Studivan presents at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Michael Studivan, a candidate in the Integrative Biology Ph.D. program presented during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Nov. 2.

(Photo credit: Jim Masterson, Ph.D., Marine Science Education)
Indian River Lagoon Science Festival 
HBOI took part in Indian River Lagoon Science Festival  Saturday, Oct. 27 held at Veterans Memorial Park in Fort Pierce. The Indian River Lagoon Science Festival features a variety of science and technology related activities, all with the goal of making science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for both children and adults.

(Photo credit: Andrew Clark)
Mission: Ocean Discovery
Ocean Discovery Experience
Meet the new "Junior Marine Scientists" involved in this year's Ocean Discovery Experience hosted by   FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI).

This year, HBOI Graduate Student Laura Issac led the marine science outreach program at the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County I nfinity Club in October and the Garden Terrace Club in November. About 55 kids participated in the program, which included 5 sessions that corresponded to research at HBOI and field trips to the Indian River Lagoon and Harbor Branch.

The program is made possible through the generous donations made by Norm and Sandy Stevenson.
New Coral Reef Aquarium at the Visitor Center
Have you seen the new 180 gallon Florida Coral Reef Aquarium at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center? This display showcases local coral species and allows us to share our important research with the public. We would like to extend a very special thanks to all of the companies and collaborators that made this amazing exhibit possible: EcoTech Marine, CaribSea Brands, Marineland, Smithsonian Marine Station and Ecosystems Exhibit, Trigger Systems and Greg McHenry Cabinetry.

Volunteers Needed for Visitors Center
V olunteers are needed to staff the Welcome Desk at the FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center (ODVC). The ODVC is a destination where the community can learn about the research conducted by the Institute’s marine scientists and engineers- and it is visited by approximately 10,000 guests each year!

The Welcome Desk attendant has a very important job as the first person to receive ODVC guests. They are responsible for making a great first impression and ensuring proper procedures are followed. The attendant’s duties include: greeting and providing information to visitors, keeping a watchful eye on the ODVC while staff members are busy, answering the telephone, responding to inquiries about our programs and assisting with various organizational tasks as needed.

Volunteer shifts are 3-hour time blocks, and we are currently seeking volunteers for the following shifts:
  • Wednesdays, 10a.m. - 1p.m.
  • Thursdays, 1p.m. - 4p.m.
  • Fridays, 1p.m. - 4p.m.

The welcome desk attendant is required to fulfill at least one three-hour shift each week and must be able to remain seated at the station for the entire shift. For more information and to complete an application , click here .
Marine Mammal Rescue Team
Marine Mammal Stranding Response
FAU Harbor Branch maintains a 365/24/7 emergency response capability. Upon notification, first responders deploy necessary assets and coordinate resources needed to rescue and transport sick or injured marine mammals to rehabilitative care facilities for evaluation. Deceased animals are transported to FAU Harbor Branch’s Necropsy Laboratory  where detailed pathobiological examinations can be performed and a cause of death determined.

To report a marine mammal stranding, call 1-888-404-FWCC