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Queen Conch Lab Receives International Award
The Queen Conch Lab of Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute received the prestigious 2025 Responsible Seafood Innovation Award in Aquaculture from the Global Seafood Alliance for its pioneering work in sustainable aquaculture. Led by Megan Davis, Ph.D., the research team has developed mobile lab hatcheries – trailer-based systems that support queen conch restoration in Caribbean communities lacking traditional infrastructure. These mobile hatcheries help rebuild wild conch populations while creating local opportunities in education, employment, and food security. The Queen Conch Lab was recognized for its innovative, community-focused approach, which blends science, sustainability, and cultural preservation to address the urgent decline of a species vital to the region’s ecosystems and economies.
Read more. |
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Faculty Named Among World's Top 2% of Scientists
Florida Atlantic University faculty members have been recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists, according to the annual Stanford–Elsevier ranking, including four from FAU Harbor Branch:
· Aaron Adams, Ph.D., senior scientist FAU Harbor Branch and director of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
· Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., research professor
· Shirley A. Pomponi, Ph.D., research professor (retired)
· Michael S. Twardowski, Ph.D., research professor
Read more. |
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Fin of the Month: Swift (SWFT)
Meet PMBA, also known as Pumba, who was first identified by the FAU Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Stranding and Population Assessment team (MMSPA) in March 2021. |
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The image on the right was submitted by one of our citizen scientists, a registered Dolphin Spotter, and the land-based photo was successfully matched to the MMSPA team's photo-identification catalog (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). Pumba has been seen by the team at least two times since. She is the mother of “c1PMBA” and they are both typically sighted between Sebastian and Ft. Pierce.
Can you spot the similarities in these photos? The team uses the unique markings on their dorsal fins to identify individual dolphins, much like how we use our fingerprints. These sightings help the MMSPA team better understand movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon.
Registered Spotters can view all 548 sightings ranging from New Smyrna to Stuart on the mobile app WatchSpotter. Becoming a citizen scientist is a great way to support our ongoing marine mammal research. Visit our website to get started.
The photo on the left was taken by the FAU HBOI MMSPA program (NOAA NMFS LOC No. 23069-01). 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.
If you see dolphins while out on the water, please remember to stay 50 yards away. If you see a marine mammal in distress, please call the FWC hotline (888) 404-3922. |
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Marine Energy Survey
Did you know the Gulf Stream - one of the world's strongest currents - can flow up to 5.6 miles per hour and move nearly 4 billion cubic feet of water every second from Florida to Europe? At FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center, researchers are harnessing this powerful force of nature into energy solutions for Florida's coastal communities.
Help shape the future of marine energy in Florida by taking a quick, 10-question survey. |
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| From left: Jonathan Terzado, Alexis Base, Madison Bennett, Adam Steinfeld, Cecilia Hampton, Stephanie Schreiber, Paige Aldred and Ebeneezer Akinbobola (Not pictured: Jada Brown, Alice Frye, Mason Thackston and Sarah Webb) |
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Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows
The Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship program provides competitive annual awards of up to $10,000 for Master's and Ph.D. students at FAU Harbor Branch with a research focus on the Indian River Lagoon. These fellowships support students across multiple FAU graduate degree programs, including Marine Science and Oceanography, Integrative Biology, Biogeoscience and Ocean Engineering. Funded through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, the fellowship awards are administered by FAU Harbor Branch and directly support graduate students’ research and academic success.
For additional information, contact Joshua Voss, Ph.D., director of collegiate education at FAU Harbor Branch.
View the full list of current research projects. |
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| From left, Brian White, vice president of Athletics; from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science: Steven Vollmer, Ph.D., director, School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability, Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., and Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., all professors of biological sciences; from FAU Harbor Branch: Gabby McHenry, Ph.D., director of education and outreach; Gregg Fields, Ph.D., vice president of Research; and President Adam Hasner. |
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Recognizing Research at FAU Football
Environmental and ocean research partnered with FAU Athletics at Flagler Credit Union Stadium for the Sept. 27 football game. FAU Harbor Branch made a splash in the pre-game fan activation zone with one of its research vessels and tours of the life-size humpback whale exhibit. Fans were invited to vote for the whale's name, which was announced during the game: Humphrey. Gabby McHenry, Ph.D., director of education and outreach, represented FAU Harbor Branch during an on-field recognition of some of Florida Atlantic's researchers and leaders. |
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Student Accolades
Two FAU Harbor Branch graduate students earned accolades during the 12th World Sponge Conference held last month in Vila do Conde, Portugal. Noah Gorman, a master's student, was awarded third place for his flash talk "Efficacy of diets in commercial bath sponges." In addition, Megan Russell, a Ph.D. student, was selected as a finalist in the conference's photo contest for her photograph of a sponge and brittle star interaction. Gorman and Russell are both students in the lab of Andia Chaves-Fonnegra, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and Harbor Branch. |
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MOA Students in the Lab and the Field
It’s been an exciting month for Westwood Academy’s Marine and Oceanographic Academy students at FAU Harbor Branch. These future scientists have been diving into hands-on labs and field studies that connect classroom lessons with real-world marine science.
Highlights from the month include:
· Environmental management students learned kayaking safety skills in preparation for upcoming outdoor field studies.
· Chemistry students completed eye-catching experiments, including the oscillating clock reaction and the creation of chemical gardens.
· Marine science students explored physiology firsthand by examining a real sheep lung, comparing adaptations in land organisms to those found in marine life.
· They also practiced conducting seagrass transects, building field skills they’ll use to study local ecosystems throughout the year.
Stay tuned to see how our students are developing the knowledge and skills to better understand and protect the world's oceans. |
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Junior Scientist Fellows in the Lagoon
The FAU Harbor Branch Junior Scientist Fellows have begun their field work in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). One team is focused on surveying the shoreline of Coastal Oaks Preserve to document the distribution and coverage of seagrass species. Each week, students don a mask and snorkel to record changes using a quadrat, gaining hands-on experience in field research.
Seagrass is vital to the lagoon’s ecosystem. It produces oxygen (up to 10 liters every day), stabilizes the seafloor, and provides food and shelter for marine life. This seagrass project contributes data that helps measure the overall health of the IRL. |
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IRL Science Festival Celebrates 10 Years
FAU Harbor Branch joined more than 50 other exhibitors for one of its biggest outreach events of the year, the Indian River Lagoon Science Festival in Fort Pierce. The festival, which celebrated its 10th year, featured hands-on exhibits in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) with the mission of making science accessible to everyone and sparking a lifelong love of learning and curiosity. FAU Harbor Branch brought several exhibits and activities including Humphrey the life-size humpback whale, the marine mammal ambulance and marine energy demonstrations. |
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Help Us Hold Our 'Best of the Treasure Coast' Title
Voting is open through Nov. 25 for Indian River County's Best of the Treasure Coast 2026. Last year, FAU Harbor Branch's Indian River Lagoon boat tours took home the title of Best Eco-Adventure. We hope to retain our title and add Best Tourist Attraction to the list of accolades.
FAU Harbor Branch is a world-renowned research center that invites the public to experience marine science first-hand, making it a unique and unforgettable destination on the Treasure Coast. Visitors can explore the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, featuring interactive exhibits, live aquaria with over 80 species, and cutting-edge research displays. Through guided tram and boat tours, guests can explore the 144-acre waterfront research campus or journey through the Indian River Lagoon aboard a floating laboratory, engaging with real-time data and wildlife alongside expert scientists.
Harbor Branch also hosts public lectures, community festivals and signature events like the International Ocean Film Festival, which draws hundreds of attendees annually. With opportunities for locals and tourists alike to learn directly from marine researchers, Harbor Branch blends education, adventure and conservation in a way no other attraction can. It’s not just a place to visit - it’s a place to discover. |
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FAU Harbor Branch's outreach team travels to events throughout Florida with hands-on marine science educational exhibits and activities. In addition, FAU Harbor Branch scientists share their expertise through public lectures and workshops.
LagoonFest
Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Downtown West Palm Beach
2025 Right Whale Festival
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Beach Park, Fernandina Beach
Ag-Xtension Fall Festival
Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UF/IFAS Extension of St. Lucie County
Fort Pierce
Marine Mammal Festival
Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Florida Oceanographic Society
Stuart |
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Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Website |
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