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Graduate students from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute recently spent the day collecting data while on the Research Vessel (R/V) W.T. Hogarth. The ship was at FAU Harbor Branch, a member of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, which is dedicated to educating the next generation of ocean scientists.
A highlight was "seeing some of the engineering students whose research is more benchtop and lab-focused get really excited about spending time on the water,
tending nets and catching live fish, and observing zooplankton under a microscope for the first time," said Jim Masterson, Ph.D., assistant research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, adding that this was the first excursion on a scientific research vessel for many of the students.
Read more.
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Bringing Ocean Issues to Light
In a recent webinar, hosted by the Nonprofit Report, Jim Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director of FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, talked about ocean issues. The topics included climate change, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, overfishing, and pollution, as well as how scientific research can inform policy to help. Watch the webinar here.
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Women in Ocean Sciences
In a recent study, researchers found that throughout the last few decades, almost 70% of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recipients in ocean sciences were women.
"The GRFP is probably the most prestigious award that a graduate student in the sciences can receive," said Clayton Cook, Ph.D., affiliate research professor at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and co-author of the study. Read more.
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Podcast Feature
Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, was recently featured on a podcast with NOAA Fisheries for her queen conch aquaculture project in Puerto Rico.
Listen here.
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Aquaculture Inventions
Paul Wills, Ph.D., research professor and associate director of research at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, was recently inducted into the National Academy of Inventors.
Read more.
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Raising Pompano
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientists, in collaboration with local fish farms, recently conducted research to determine optimal salinity to raise Florida pompano, a candidate for aquaculture commercial fish production in the U.S.
Read more.
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Faculty Wins Fellowship
Aditya Nayak, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, was selected for the Israel Faculty Fellowship, a competitive academic fellowship that links scholars from diverse disciplines with their Israeli counterparts at major institutions to initiate exchanges and collaborations.
"I will be traveling to Israel with a cohort of faculty from around the country," Nayak said. "An important aspect is to establish research collaborations there and interact with faculty sharing similar interests."
Read more.
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Shark Research
In a recently released study, researchers from the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute are the first to measure multiple toxins, produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs), in bull sharks in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
According to Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., senior author and assistant research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, the scientists have just scratched the surface on what HABs exposure means for bull sharks in the IRL. Read more.
Ajemian also recently co-authored a study reviewing the increasing issue of shark depredation, where the predators consume animals caught by fishing gear. Read more.
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Seeking Solutions
Owen Silvera, master's student in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, recently earned the Aylesworth Scholarship, which supports students pursuing degrees with direct application to marine science.
Silvera is a researcher in the Geochemical Sensing Laboratory where he investigates solutions for environmental problems, like harmful algal blooms.
Read more.
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Diamondback Studies for the Win
Garrett Maggio, a graduate student at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, is the 2022 Charles E. Roberts Environmental Science Research Award recipient, earning support from the 2022-23 National Parks Conservation Association.
Maggio's research focuses on the diamondback terrapin, an aquatic turtle, and their parasites.
Read more.
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Deep Dive
In November, members of the FAU Harbor Branch Benefactors Society listened as Jim Masterson, Ph.D., assistant research professor at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, gave two talks about the Indian River Lagoon and the unique challenges it faces.
Masterson's presentations were part of a three-part learning experience called the Deep Dives Lecture Series, designed specifically for members. For the final lecture, Masterson will delve into how FAU Harbor Branch researchers are working to improve the health of this important estuary.
“Jim is an exceptional teacher and I learn so much from his lectures,” said Sandy Stevenson, attendee.
Barbara Utz, also an attendee, agreed. “Excellent lecture. Dr. Masterson was very informative and well organized.”
Members of the FAU Harbor Branch Benefactors Society support significant and timely research, impacting critical ocean issues.
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Marine Debris Art
In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, students collected debris from the local waterways and used it to create six unique art pieces now on display throughout St. Lucie County.
See the art at the following locations:
● Seahorse: FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, 5600 U.S.1, North Fort Pierce
● Sailfish: Sailfish Brewery, 130 N. 2nd St., Fort Pierce
● Shark: Tax Collector's Office, 2300 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce
● Octopus: Kilmer Branch of the libraries, 101 Melody Lane, Fort Pierce
● Jellyfish: Boys & Girls Club Westside, 3361 S. Jenkins Road, Fort Pierce
● Turtle: Lewis Branch of the libraries, 2950 SW Rosser Blvd., Port St. Lucie
Learn more about programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs and the partnership with FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
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Dolphin of the Month:
Tis' the Season with SNTA
To start off the holiday season, we’re celebrating SNTA, “Santa Claus.”
SNTA is one of the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's Marine
Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team’s identifiable bottlenose dolphins in the Indian
River Lagoon. SNTA’s dorsal fin is particularly striking due to its cauliflower-like patches, which are
believed to be caused by Paracoccidiodomycosis ceti, a fungal pathogen.
If you see dolphins while out on the water, remember to stay 50 yards away. If you see a marine mammal in distress, call the FWC hotline 888-404-3922.
Our Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC #23069 and our 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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Be a Dolphin Spotter
Next time you're standing on a Florida shore and you see a dolphin in the water, take a picture!
You can submit that picture to the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Dolphin-Spotter project, a land-based citizen science project, and become a certified citizen scientist.
Learn more.
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Gifts for Children
For the 27th year, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute students and faculty donated gifts to support the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, which helps provide gifts to children around the country.
FAU Harbor Branch provided gifts for 30 children.
Learn more.
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Commercialization Status of Florida Pompano
Aquaculture Industry Workshop
Join the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute for a free workshop that will showcase findings from three years of Florida Sea Grant-funded research focused on overcoming the hurdles to commercialization of Florida pompano aquaculture in the U.S.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 19
Location: FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Marine Education Center
Registration Deadline: Jan. 13
The event is available in-person and virtually. In-person seating is first come.
Register here.
For more information, contact Paul Wills, Ph.D., at pwills2@fau.edu.
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