FAU Harbor Branch News

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November 2023

Deep Sea Drug Discovery

Researchers at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Program aim to use marine biotechnology to improve medicine and help save lives. Since the oceans cover 70% of the planet and hold 50 to 80% of the biological diversity of the planet, it makes sense to expect that new medicines will come from marine sources, including those to treat cancer.

Vote for Art of Science

Voting is now open for FAU’s Art of Science People’s Choice Award. Browse the online gallery and see how every image tells a story, where science and art converge and where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Voting deadline: Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m.

Vote

Art of Science Gallery Opening

Celebrate all the Art of Science submissions during the opening night gallery reception.

Jan. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Schmidt Center Gallery on the Boca Raton Campus.

Fin of the Month: Ahsoka (SOKA)

Meet “SOKA,” also known as Ahsoka, who was first identified by FAU Harbor Branch’s Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team (MMPSA) in December 2020. “SOKA” and her calf (“c1SOKA,” or Padawan) are often sighted by the MMPSA team during vessel-based photo-identification surveys between Vero Beach and Stuart.

The image on the right that was submitted by a FAU Harbor Branch Dolphin Spotter citizen scientist who lives in Fort Pierce. His land-based photo was successfully matched to the MMPSA team's photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01).

See the similarities between these photos? The MMPSA team uses the unique markings on the dolphin’s dorsal fin to identify individual dolphins, much like fingerprints. The Dolphin Spotter’s sighting of “SOKA” and her calf helped FAU’s scientists better understand their home range.

Remember to always stay 50 yards away from dolphins. If a marine mammal is spotted in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission hotline 888-404-3922.

Interested in participating in the Dolphin Spotter project? Register today.

All citizen scientist land-based photos have been submitted through the FAU Harbor Branch Dolphin Spotter project in accordance with the program’s guidelines and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01 and stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement with NMFS and FAU Harbor Branch under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Outreach and Education

Indian River Lagoon Science Festival Recap

The annual Indian River Lagoon Science Festival was held on Nov. 18 in Downtown Fort Pierce, and FAU Harbor Branch was out in full force with hands-on activities and exhibits – including the debut of the new life-size humpback whale tunnel exhibit. Attendees were invited inside the marine mammal ambulance to learn about dolphin rescues directly from members of the Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team. Plus, there were hands-on activities about water quality, seagrass, aquaculture and more.

Steve Burton on Ocean 97.1

Steve Burton, director of the Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment Team at FAU Harbor Branch, was interviewed by Ocean 97.1 with an update on his team’s work with dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon, including a positive report on a mother dolphin and her calf that they had disentangled a few months ago. Burton also described how to book an expert from FAU Harbor Branch through the Speaker’s Bureau program. Listen to the full interview below.

FAU Harbor Branch welcomes visitors through a variety of unique, interactive learning opportunities.

The Ocean Discovery Visitors Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Go behind the scenes on a campus tour led by a marine scientist. Tours are held Tuesday through Saturday at 1 p.m.
Explore the Indian River Lagoon from the perspective of a marine scientist aboard the floating laboratory, Discovery. Boat tours are Fridays and Saturdays.

Visit

Interested in booking a private tour? Call 772-242-2293.

Upcoming Events

Specialty Experience:

Trash Travels

Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m.

Learn about how today's disregarded debris becomes tomorrow's conservation calamity. Participants will look for synthetic materials, like microplastics, in water samples, and explore how small changes in our daily lives can keep the sea free of debris.

Space is limited. Reservations and payment are required in advance.

Reserve.

December Specialty Experience: Trash Travels, Thursday, Dec. 14

Reserve

2024 Ocean Science Lecture Series

The John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series provides a forum for the community to learn about FAU Harbor Branch’s most recent discoveries directly from the scientists and engineers who make them. The 2024 lecture series kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 10 with a presentation by Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., “The Quest for a Marine Sponge Cell Line: A Retrospective of Sponge Biotechnology at FAU Harbor Branch.”

Lectures will be held every Wednesday through March 6 at FAU Harbor Branch.

Learn more.

Learn more

Frontiers in Science

What's Happening to Water Quality in Florida?

Panel Lead: James M. Sullivan Ph.D., Executive Director, FAU Harbor Branch

Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, FAU Boca Raton campus

Presented by FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

In the Community

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.

J. McLaughlin Sip & Shop

Friday, Dec. 15, Noon to 4 p.m.

6290 North A1A, Vero Beach

15% of sales benefit FAU Harbor Branch

Science on Tap

Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m.

Grandview Public Market

West Palm Beach

There’s a Storm A-Brewing: Heat and Marine Sponges, Andia Chaves Fonnegra, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology

FAU Harbor Branch at the South Florida Fair

Save the dates: Jan. 12 - 28.

FAU Harbor Branch will have a featured exhibit during the 2024 South Florida Fair. The theme this year is “Dive Into the Fun” and the new life-size humpback whale tunnel exhibit will be front-and-center throughout the 17-day event. Learn about these gentle giants like never before, by exploring inside a true-to-life replica.

Learn more.

The Emerson Center E-Series

Stealing Sharks and Ravaging Rays: A Scientific Assessment of Their Interactions with Florida's Fisheries

Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, FAU Harbor Branch

Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.

The Emerson Center in Vero Beach

Learn More

Benefactors Society

Deep Dive Mini-Lecture Series

This month, supporters of FAU Harbor Branch attended the final presentation of the three-part Benefactors Society Deep Dive Mini-Lecture Series. This intimate, course-like mini-series was taught by Jim Masterson, Ph.D., and focused on the history and need for aquaculture, as well as how FAU Harbor Branch is conducting critical research to help inform the aquaculture industry and meet the growing demand for safe, sustainably grown seafood.

Learn more about the Benefactors Society.

Indian River Land Trust Annual Benefit

FAU Harbor Branch attended the Indian River Land Trust’s annual fundraiser on Nov. 9 in support of the ongoing partnership between the two organizations. For more than a decade, the Indian River Land Trust and FAU Harbor Branch offer high school students in Indian River County the opportunity to learn about land conservation, management strategies and scientific research through the Junior Scientist Fellows Program. At the conclusion of the program, students are able to present their research and findings to members of the scientific community at FAU’s annual Indian River Lagoon Symposium.

Learn more.