September 2020
Fall 2020 Return-to-Campus: Our 56th Academic Year

As we return to campus and embark on a new academic year, I've prepared a video message and update on the state of the university for the FAU community. 
 
From its earliest days, FAU students, faculty and staff have shown tremendous determination to overcome adversity. In late August 1964, as FAU prepared to welcome its first students, Hurricane Cleo hit South Florida. The storm caused a great deal of damage to the new campus and delayed the start of classes by nearly a week. However, when the flood waters receded and the power came back on, FAU’s charter class arrived, excited to begin their studies at Florida’s newest university.
 
We now begin our 56th academic year and I’m reminded of the perseverance of those first Owls, and how that strength of spirit endures to this today. While the past few months haven’t been easy on any of us, I’ve watched with pride as Owls across the university stepped up to support our neighbors, uplift our students and continue FAU’s Race to Excellence. The resilience and innovation showcased during this time is truly inspiring. I’m confident that, together, we will make this another great year at Florida Atlantic University. 
 
Welcome, Owls. We are in this together. Watch Video

John Kelly
President
FAU Harbor Branch News

A scientist from FAU's Harbor Branch received a grant from Florida's Department of Environmental Protection to develop a sensing and visualization package to monitor harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee... Read More

A study led by FAU's Harbor Branch examined 83 stranded dolphins and whales in North Carolina and Florida. Researchers looked at 11 different animal species to test for 17 different substances... Read More

FAU Harbor Branch researchers examined the outcome of a bottlenose dolphin calf in the Indian River Lagoon entangled in fishing line wrapped tightly around its upper jaw and found severe, long-term damage... Read More

FAU's Harbor Branch Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network records real-time weather and water quality information at 10 sites from Sebastian to Stuart. The website features from 2013 up through today, and the ability to dig deeper into long-term trends makes this a great resource for students who are curious about our backyard ecosystem IRLON.

FAU Harbor Branch researchers conducted the first long-term, in-depth analysis of the elasmobranch community in the southern Indian River Lagoon, categorizing 630 individuals of 16 species... Read More
 
Megan Davis, Research Professor, Aquaculture & Stock Enhancement, is an appointed NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee member and she recently completed her role as the chair of MAFAC’s Seafood Promotion Task Group. In July, MAFAC approved and presented the final report with recommendations to NOAA and the Department of Commerce. These findings and subsequent recommendations that came from an evaluation conducted by the Seafood Promotion Task Group, with tremendous input from the seafood community, are under review and consideration by the agency. According to the report, “Since 2018, the MAFAC has been considering what the federal government can do to help improve consumer confidence in, and subsequently consumption of, U.S. seafood in our country, in order to support and increase value of our sustainably managed fisheries and aquaculture.”... Read More

Esther Guzmán, Ph.D., an associate research professor at FAU's Harbor Branch and three other FAU researchers were recently inducted into the FAU chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), a non-profit organization established to recognize inventors for accomplishments in research and commercialization, and enhance the visibility of scientific innovation... Read More
Student Spotlight
Tyler Bianchine, a masters student at FAU Harbor Branch, is studying the commercialization of the Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) in aquaculture. Unlike other jaw structures, these fish possess well developed plates that are used for grinding their natural prey (mollusks and crustaceans). In aquaculture, they are fed a pellet diet, but through the use of these plate in their feeding behavior, feed is lost in fragments escaping during consumption. Tyler’s study looks to determine how much feed is wasted and if this waste can be minimized using different feed types or different pellet sizes.
In the News
Young shark scientist working to bring more women of...

Carlee Jackson isn't afraid of sharks. Quite the opposite. She thinks they're cute. She also thinks that they're incredibly important to the ocean ecosystem. This year, she was inspired by events going on around the country to collaborate with...

Read more
www.sun-sentinel.com
Humanity's Newest Toxins Found in Stranded Whales and...

New toxins and chemicals entering the market are bombarding the ocean and its inhabitants on a scale never seen. So researchers have turned to stranded dolphins and whales to determine the impact of plastics and other pollutants on marine life.

Read more
www.courthousenews.com
Scientists Sleuth Out Sponge Diversity in New Initiative

FAU’s Harbor Branch and the Smithsonian Marine Station are collaborating on a new initiative to better understand sponge diversity in the Indian River Lagoon.

Read more
naturalhistory.si.edu
As a health and safety precaution, FAU's Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center is temporarily closed. Please check back for updates. Visit FAU's Harbor Branch social media channels for daily research highlights, facts and trivia questions.

Join us as we take a behind the scenes look around FAU's Harbor Branch! This series will highlight our various research projects, state of the art facilities and equipment, as well as views from our historic 144-acre campus that is located along the Indian River Lagoon.


We are excited to announce the launch of our new ONLINE gift shop! To celebrate we are having a special sale until Friday, September 4.

Use the promo code MANATEE at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
Bring Ocean Science for A Better World® right into your home with virtual resources from FAU's 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
Discover the scientists and engineers behind the great work being conducted at FAU's Harbor Branch. During Behind the Science, a fun and informal web chat series, our researchers will tell you what inspired them to pursue a career in marine science, share stories about their adventures, and advice they would give to a future scientist!

Hear about our most recent discoveries from the scientists and engineers that made them through FAU's Harbor Branch John and Barbara Ferrara Ocean Science Lecture Series. Our lecture archive goes back ten years and contains more than 100 presentations with topics ranging from sharks to renewable energy.


Through FAU's Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau, community organizations may request a virtual presentation on a specific research topic or a general overview of FAU's 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's Harbor Branch Speakers Bureau request form.
About Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute: 
Founded in 1971, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University is a research community of marine scientists, engineers, educators and other professionals focused on Ocean Science for a Better World. The institute drives innovation in ocean engineering, at-sea operations, drug discovery and biotechnology from the oceans, coastal ecology and conservation, marine mammal research and conservation, aquaculture, ocean observing systems and marine education.