Illustration of the NASA PACE satellite courtesy of NASA. | |
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PACE Satellite Launch
On Feb. 8 at 1:33 a.m., the NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Experiment (PACE) satellite launched from Kennedy Space Center in Port Canaveral. PACE is NASA's newest ocean color sensor system equipped with new capabilities to map ocean biology.
Several faculty from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute - James M. Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director; Timothy Moore, Ph.D., associate research professor; Michael Twardowski, Ph.D., research professor; and Malcolm McFarland, Ph.D., assistant research professor, - are part of the PACE science team.
The NASA PACE mission is a global polar-orbiting satellite that will measure optical properties of the atmosphere and oceans with new instrument capabilities. PACE has a hyperspectral radiometer to measure light at fine spectral resolution from the ultraviolet through the near-infrared electromagnetic spectrum, which will lead to new insights into phytoplankton composition of the oceans, identifying the extent and duration of harmful algal blooms. PACE also has two polarimeters onboard that will provide new information on the distribution and types of aerosols in the atmosphere.
PACE's data will improve understanding of how the ocean and atmosphere exchange carbon dioxide. In addition, it will reveal how aerosols might fuel phytoplankton growth in the surface ocean. PACE is the latest satellite also designed to extend and expand NASA's long-term observations of our living planet.
Learn more.
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Annie Page, DVM, Ph.D., and her team prior to a necropsy of a stranded whale. (Stranding response conducted under a stranding agreement between NOAA Fisheries Service and FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute under the authority of the MMPA). | |
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Toxins in Stranded Dolphins and Whales
A new study from researchers at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch set out to help uncover potential human health hazards associated with harmful algal blooms in the Indian River Lagoon.
Findings from the study provide important baseline data needed to further assess the pathophysiological mechanisms and ecotoxicological hazards associated with exposure to and accumulation of trace elements in tissues of free-ranging whales and dolphins.
Read more.
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Postdoc Spotlight: Karuna Agarwal, Ph.D.
The green sludge that coats the surface of Florida’s waters can make people and animals sick. And its occurrence is increasing, according to Karuna Agarwal, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at FAU Harbor Branch.
Agarwal is devising a method to better detect the individual cells of the Microsystis organism using a three-dimensional holographic imaging system.
Read more.
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Fin of the Month: Spoiler (SPLR)
Meet “SPLR”, also known as Spoiler, who was first identified by FAU Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment (MMSPA) team in May 2021. This dolphin was named due to the spoiler-like appearance of its dorsal fin. Spoiler is often seen with another dolphin named “GOFY” (Goofy) and has been seen from Wabasso to Stuart.
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Can you spot the similarities between these photos? The image on the right was submitted by Richard Shields, one of the Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists, and the MMPSA team's photo-identification catalog image (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01) is on the left. Many sightings, like this one, were photographed near private residences. The MMSPA team uses the unique markings on their dorsal fins to identify individual dolphins, much like how people are identified using fingerprints.
Two weeks after this sighting was submitted, Spoiler was seen traveling near the FAU Harbor Branch channel during a campus tour. These sightings help the MMSPA team better understand home ranges of our local dolphin population in Florida.
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.
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Interested in contributing to marine mammal research and joining the more than 240 Dolphin Spotter citizen scientists? 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.
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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. | |
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Florida Oceans Day
FAU Harbor Branch participated in Florida Oceans Day in Tallahassee, the Florida Ocean Alliance's annual conference focused on Florida’s marine and coastal resources and their critical role in sustaining a healthy blue economy.
Florida's blue economic sector depends on the maintenance of healthy coastlines and ocean waters. According to a 2020 report from the Florida Ocean Alliance, "direct and indirect use of ocean and coastal resources contributed $73.9 billion to the state's economy" and more than one million jobs.
Read more.
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FAU Day at the Capitol
James Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director, and Ipanema Mora-Carrera and Hanna Bridgham, both graduate research assistants, represented FAU Harbor Branch during FAU Day at the Florida Capitol.
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Aquaculture Workshops
The new Exploring Florida Aquaculture Public Workshops debuted in February. The first of the four-part series was an introduction to Florida seafood and aquaculture. The program featured presentations from:
- Jim Masterson, Ph.D., assistant research professor, and Laura Issac Norton, outreach project coordinator at FAU Harbor Branch
- Portia Sapp, assistant director in the Division of Aquaculture at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Talley Hite, outreach partnership lead at Seafood Watch
The workshop also included a special screening of a short film by Sereia Films, a nonprofit production company that provides education about sustainable seafood.
The series continues the second Saturday of the month through May.
- March 9: Finfish
- April 13: Shrimp, clams and oysters
- May 11: Restoration and aquariums
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Click here to view a recording of the Feb. 10 workshop. | |
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Marine Science and Engineering Summer Internships
The application period is now open for Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's undergraduate summer internship program. The 10-week immersive internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in a research environment in areas that include:
- Aquaculture and Stock Enhancement
- Biomedical and Biotechnology
- Marine Ecosystem Health
- Ocean Dynamics and Modeling
- Ocean Engineering and Exploration
- Outreach and Informal Education
Applications are due March 1.
Learn more and apply.
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2024 John & Barbara Ferrera 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.
Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at FAU Harbor Branch.
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Feb. 28 - Esther Guzmán, Ph.D.
Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery at FAU Harbor Branch
March 6 - Megan Davis, Ph.D.
Celebrating the Queen Conch: A Journey of Restoration with Caribbean Communities
April 3 - Colin Polsky, Ph.D.
FAU’s New Environment School, ECOS: Building Bridges to Advance Research and Teaching
May 1 - Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
Fishers Know More Than You
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Lectures are also streamed live online or can be watched on demand. | |
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch's 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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Marine Science in the Morning
Inter- and Post-nesting Movement Patterns of Leatherback Sea Turtles Nesting in Southeastern Florida
Derek Aoki, doctoral student
Wednesday, March 6, 9 to 9:45 a.m.
St. Lucie Aquarium
Fort Pierce
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Science on Tap
Holographic Microscopy for Monitoring Aquatic Plankton and Harmful Algal Blooms
Alexis Base, doctoral candidate
Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m.
Nobo Brewing Company
Boynton Beach
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FAU Harbor Branch will have a booth at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmer's Market every Saturday beginning Feb. 24. The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon. Stop by to learn about boat and tram tours, free lectures, exciting marine research and discoveries, and more. There may even be special offers for farmers market visitors. Stop by to find out more. | |
Florida Atlantic Research | |
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Science in Seconds Series
Watch "The Power of Love Protects Groupers," featuring Laurent Chérubin, Ph.D., a research professor at Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch.
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Subscribe to Ocean Currents
Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website
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