A team of scientists led by Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute followed their “gut” instinct to address the nutritional needs of Georgia's debilitated loggerhead sea turtles in rehabilitation. The study was published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition... Read More

A team of FAU Harbor Branch researchers have received a three-year, $736,000 grant from NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry (OCEAN) to improve understanding of carbon cycle processes and feedbacks in aquatic critical zones that are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes. The FAU Harbor Branch project will use satellite images, hydrodynamic modeling and field work in the Gulf of Mexico. FAU is among 10 in the nation and the only university in Florida selected by NASA.... Read More

In the depths of the ocean, soft-corals sway in the current while sponges sit immobile and anchored to rocks. These animals may be the key to curing diseases such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and triple negative breast cancer, and that’s the mission of Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Marine Biomedical & Biotechnology Research Program... Read More

Earlier this month we celebrated, Shark Awareness Day, by highlighting researchers from FAU that are promoting conservation and dispelling fear and myths about these important ocean predators. "Sharks are part of the scenery here in Florida and they play varied, yet vital, ecological roles necessary to maintaining the health of our ecosystems," said Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., an assistant research professor at FAU Harbor Branch... ⁠Read More

Several FAU Shark Experts were featured on National Geographic's SharkFest this month. FAU Harbor Branch Assistant Research Professor Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., Professor Stephen Kajiura, and Graduate Student Michelle Edwards "World's Biggest Bull Shark?" and "When Sharks Attack,"  Fellow researchers described the episodes as real science-based shows filled with action-packed collaborative, inclusive, and authentic research, with an entertaining television hook for all audiences... Learn More

FAU Harbor Branch Researchers spent 10 days in the Florida Keys to join Force Blue's mission to unite Special Operations veterans and fellow scientists from the turtle hospital and Inwater Research Group to survey and rescue green sea turtles threatened by fibropapillomatosis, a disease characterized by skin, eye, and internal tumors that can be fatal. A total of 38 green turtles and 13 loggerhead turtles were captured, tagged, and released as part of a scientific study on the health of the sea turtle population within the area. Assistant Research Professor & Clinical Veterinarian, Annie Page-Karjian, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Graduate Students Marisa Pico and Hunter Brown can be seen in these photos collecting and processing samples. Marine turtle research conducted pursuant to NMFS ESA Permit No. 21169 and FWC MTP 204.

FAU Harbor Branch Research Professor Megan Davis, Ph.D., and members of the Queen Conch Lab helped to establish a Queen Conch Hatchery at the Naguabo Fishing Association in Puerto Rico. This laboratory is dedicated to breeding conches to preserve their reproduction and will be used for training and education, restoration and sustainable seafood… Watch

Ali Ibrahim, a postdoctoral fellow in FAU Harbor Branch, is using sound to track and protect the grouper from being overfished and possibly becoming extinct... Read More

FAU Harbor Branch Scientists and Collaborators propose a transfer learning approach to classify grouper species by their courtship-associated sounds produced during spawning aggregations. The study published in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, revealed that transfer learning significantly outperformed the manually identified features approach for grouper sound classification... Read More

FAU Harbor Branch Executive Director Jim Sullivan, Ph.D., recently served as an expert panelist during a discussion hosted by the Palm Beach Civic Association on water quality issues... View Here

The Global Aquaculture Alliance recently featured #FAU #HarborBranch Megan Davis, Ph.D., and her Queen Conch Lab research in an article titled “Aquaculture aids the restoration of iconic Caribbean shellfish queen conch. Our vision is to establish a queen conch farm in every Caribbean nation,” said Dr. Megan Davis... Read More

Steve Burton, M.S., the director of the FAU Harbor Branch Stranding and Population Assessment Program was recently featured on WTTB’s radio talk show, “Local News Magazine with Bob Soos.”

More than 1 million people have viewed the latest BraveWilderness, Youtube episode featuring Hunter Hines, Ph.D. Hines and show host Mark Vins teamed up to search a Florida swamp where they find the ‘brain eating amoeba’ Naegleria fowleri and examine it in the lab at FAU Harbor Branch. This pathogen is common in warm freshwaters but the human infection is very rare, which is good as the fatality rate is 98%. Despite the serious subject matter, the importance of microbes in environments and within humans was also communicated to a wide global audience. Watch

Bring Ocean Science for A Better World^® right into your home with virtual resources from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute! Online offerings include lectures, interviews with marine scientists, activities for children and much more! Visit our virtual resources page to learn about these great opportunities for teachers, students and ocean lovers of all ages!... Learn More

A major focus of aquaculture research at FAU Harbor Branch has been the development of new, sustainable systems and the transfer of this technology to the private sector. One hallmark advancement is the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system, which can be used to cultivate multiple products like fish, shellfish, and sea vegetables.

During the latest Ocean Science Lecture, Gabby Barbarite, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch director of outreach and engagement FAU Harbor Branch provides a behind the scenes look at this cutting-edge research and related education initiatives.

For the second year in a row, Gabby Barbarite, Ph.D., is a juror for the Division of Research Art of Science photography contest! Barbarite oversees the FAU Harbor Branch Mission: Ocean Discovery outreach programs, which provide opportunities for the community to connect with, and learn from, marine science experts through exhibitions, tours, lecture series, citizen science activities, after-school programs and more... Read More

As a health and safety precaution, FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center is temporarily closed. Please check back for updates.

Also, make sure to check out our new online gift shop!

A temporary display highlighting 50 years of ocean exploration at FAU Harbor Branch is now open to the public at the Manatee Observation & Education Center in downtown Fort Pierce. It will be on display through August.

FAU Harbor Branch is a proud sponsor of Keep Martin Beautiful and their Great American Cleanup! Join us in keeping our beaches litter free on September 18... Learn More

FAU Funder, FAU’s crowdfunding platform, features several of FAU Harbor Branch’s research projects. You can help save the queen conch, support plastic pollution studies in local waters, fund beluga whale research in the Arctic or help researchers as they use deep sea molecules for potential life-saving medicines. Please visit FAU Funder for detailed information on each project. Your contributions can make a difference!

Through FAU Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau, community organizations may request a virtual presentation on a specific research topic or a general overview of FAU Harbor Branch. This program provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the institute’s most recent discoveries and connect with marine science experts. There is no charge for scheduling a speaker, however an honorarium or donation is encouraged.

If you would like to request a virtual speaker for your group/event, please fill out FAU Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau request form.