‘Frontiers in Science’ Public Lecture Series Presents ‘Saving Our Seas: On the Front Lines of Protecting Florida’s Coral Reefs’

Florida’s coral reefs, long regarded as natural treasures, are now under threat from escalating disease, climate change and pollution. Hear from panel of leading scientists and conservationists who will discuss efforts that are underway to better understand, treat and restore these fragile ecosystems at the next Frontiers in Science Public Lecture, “Saving Our Seas: On the Front Lines of Protecting Florida's Coral Reefs,” on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m., in the Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Boca Raton campus.

Steven Vollmer, Ph.D., director of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability, and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Schmidt College of Science, is a featured panelist. Vollmer is a specialist in Caribbean coral research, and he uses genomics to identify disease resistant and thermally tolerant corals for selective breeding programs and coral restocking efforts.

“I have seen a sharp decline in our tropical coral reefs, principally due to coral disease outbreaks and thermal bleaching,” stated Vollmer. “This inspired me to seek practical solutions to the environmental challenges facing us today, and in my field, that means building more resilient coral reef communities.”

A Q&A session with the audience will immediately follow the discussion, moderated by the Dean of the Schmidt College of Science, Valery E. Forbes, Ph.D. The event’s other panelists include: Molly Moynihan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Geosciences, Schmidt College of Science; Joshua Voss, Ph.D., research professor, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute; and Leneita Fix, executive director and CEO, The Reef Institute.

This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to reserve your spot!

To learn more, visit: https://science.fau.edu/frontiers