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Underwater Imaging
Bing Ouyang, Ph.D., an associate research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, and colleagues, received a U.S. patent for a new underwater imaging invention that can be used to remotely detect dangerous underwater objects. The device, which is about the size of a soda can, is a breakthrough in advanced underwater imaging because it can overcome the loss of contrast caused by taking images underwater, resulting in clearer pictures and quicker identification of underwater threats.
Read more.
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Queen Conch Lab on
South Florida PBS
Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, was recently featured on the South Florida PBS web series “Your Story.” Watch the mini-documentary to learn more about Davis’ history with queen conch and her current plans for a fleet of mobile queen conch hatcheries to be deployed throughout the Caribbean.
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Seafood Nutrition Partnership
Davis was appointed to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership’s Scientific Nutrition Advisory Counsel. As the foremost expert on queen conch aquaculture for restoration and conservation, she brings a wealth of knowledge about the nutritional benefits of seafood and sea vegetables.
Read more.
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Volunteers Needed for Harmful Algal Bloom Study
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Department of Health and Florida Atlantic University are looking for volunteers in Cape Coral to participate in a study about the long-term human health effects of exposure to harmful algal blooms. Researchers will hold information sessions at the City of Cape Coral’s Public Works Department through early November.
Learn more.
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Fin of the Month: Pablo
Pablo is a bottlenose dolphin who has been seen by the FAU Harbor Branch marine mammal team in the southern Indian River Lagoon between Harbor Branch and the Stuart causeway. Pablo can be recognized by the indents on the leading edge of the dorsal fin and has often been seen with a dolphin named Cuban.
While in the water, remember to always stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins. If a marine mammal appears in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at (888) 404-3922.
Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC #23069 and stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement with NMFS and FAU Harbor Branch under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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See a Sign? Spot a Dolphin? Scan and Become a Citizen Scientist.
FAU Harbor Branch’s outreach and community engagement team has recently installed Dolphin Spotter signs along the coast of the Indian River Lagoon from Sebastian to Stuart. The signs are strategically located at waterfront parks, restaurants and businesses where dolphins can easily be spotted from the shoreline. Visitors can simply scan the QR code on the sign and register as a Dolphin Spotter.
Dolphin Spotters are citizen scientists who help FAU Harbor Branch’s Stranding and Population Assessment team with its ongoing population assessment and monitoring efforts of bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon. When Dolphin Spotters sight dolphins from shore, they snap photos of their fins and submit them through an online form. The program currently has 175 registered spotters who have contributed 156 land-based dolphin sightings. The sightings have been matched to 22 dolphins in the marine mammal assessment team’s database, helping scientists record what these dolphins are up to in between their regular assessment surveys.
Learn more.
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Beaming Up
Key features of FAU Harbor Branch’s high-tech educational boat tours are the screens mounted to the back of each seat that can — among other functions — give passengers a fish-eye view by streaming live video feed from an underwater remotely operated vehicle as it explores beneath the water’s surface in the Indian River Lagoon. Harbor Branch partnered with an education technology company called ScreenBeam to design a bespoke system that would not only perform seamlessly but could also withstand the challenging conditions of being installed aboard a pontoon boat.
Read more.
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Boat Tours
Public boat tours with FAU Harbor Branch run year-round.
Tour Schedule:
Fridays: 10:30 a.m.
Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Tours are family friendly and designed to educate and delight guests of all ages. Advance reservations are required.
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Marine Debris Sculptures
FAU Harbor Branch loaned Manatee Lagoon two of the marine debris sculptures created through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County called “Keep the Sea Free of Debris.” Through the program, club members collected roughly 1,500 pounds of trash along shorelines in St. Lucie County. This trash was then turned into treasure as bright, sea-themed sculptures. Through Nov. 2, the public can view two of these sculptures, “Squishy” the jellyfish and “Pride” the sea turtle, and learn more about the program at Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach.
Learn more.
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New Science in Seconds Series Spotlights FAU's Research
FAU's Research Communications team launched a new short video series called Science in Seconds.
Each episode showcases the cutting-edge research, scholarship and creative activity happening across FAU's colleges - all in less than 60 seconds.
Check out three recent Science in Seconds videos featuring FAU Harbor Branch scientists.
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The Nat and Dorothy Hyman Science Lecture Series
Managing Pollution of Urban Waters: Sources and Solutions
Sarah E. Hobbie, Ph.D., Regents Professor, College of Biological Sciences,
University of Minnesota
Thursday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, FAU Boca Raton campus
Presented by FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science's School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability.
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The FAU Harbor Branch outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. All events listed are free and open to the public. | |
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Estuaries Day
Saturday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart
Creatures Fest
Saturday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Barrier Island Center in Melbourne Beach
Ag-Xtension Fall & Insect Fest
Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Lucie County Extension in Fort Pierce
Right Whale Festival
Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fernandina Beach
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Indian River Lagoon Science Festival
Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Veteran's Memorial Park, Ft. Pierce
Explore the marine mammal ambulance from FAU Harbor Branch along with dozens of other exhibits and hands-on learning activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).
Manateefest
Saturday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce
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Save the Dates for the Emerson Center E-Series
Three researchers from FAU Harbor Branch will be featured lecturers during the annual E-Series presented by the Emerson Center in Vero Beach, beginning in January 2024.
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FAU Giving Day
Florida Atlantic Giving Day was Thursday, Sept. 21. Over a 24-hour period, more than 1,000 alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students, and friends came together across all FAU campuses to raise funds to support programs, research and initiatives in every corner of the university. The day exceeded expectations, raising more than $215,000. For FAU Harbor Branch, $5,720 was designated by 57 donors to fund three important projects: queen conch restoration and aquaculture, support for students studying marine science and engineering, or research to discover new therapies for cancer using marine natural products.
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