NSU to Launch Free Public Lecture Series on Coral Reefs

NSU Oceanographic Center’s lecture series will focus on coral reef science and conservation in South Florida.

HOLLYWOOD Fla. — In an effort to raise public awareness of one of South Florida’s most valuable natural resource — coral reefs — Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center will launch a free public lecture series about the science of the species.

NSU Oceanographic Center graduate student Dana Fisco gives thumbs up to successful coral reef transplant.

The lecture series, which starts on January 30, will be held at NSU’s new $50 million Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research in Hollywood. It’s America’s largest coral research center.

Known as “Dive-In” the series will feature the following world-renowned researchers:

• Jan. 30: Robert van Woesik, Ph.D., professor, Florida Institute of Technology Director, Institute for Research on Global Climate Change. Topic: Persistence of Reef Corals in a Rapidly Changing Environment
• Feb.19: Daniel Pauly, Ph.D., professor, The University of British Columbia Principal Investigator, Sea Around Us Project. Topic: Role of Fisheries and Climate Change on Marine Ecosystems
• Feb. 26: Joerg Wiedenmann, Ph.D. senior lecturer, University of Southampton Head, Marine Biotechnology Laboratory and the Coral Laboratory at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, UK. Topic: The Solution for Pollution is Dilution: True for Coral Reefs?
• March 20: Katharine Tzadik, M.S., land-based sources of pollution coordinator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coral Reef Conservation Program. Topic: Southeast Florida Coral Reefs: Acting Above to Protect What’s Below
• April 11:  Kim Ritchie, Ph.D., senior scientist and marine microbiology program manager, Mote Marine Laboratories. Topic: Mutualistic Interactions in Corals: Small, Smaller, Smallest!
• May 15: Mary Hagedorn, Ph.D., marine biologist, Smithsonian Institution and Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Topic: Climate Change and Freezing the World’s Reefs.

Coral reefs are in decline across the globe. About 84 percent of the nation’s reefs are located in Florida, generating $6 billion to the local economy. Local South Florida businesses like dive shops, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, boat tours, cruises, and big and small business owners depend on those reefs for their livelihoods.

NSU’s Center of Excellence is focused on protecting coral reefs in South Florida, throughout the nation, and around the world. The study of coral reef ecosystems is vital to the protection of our oceans.

Lectures will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium at the Center of Excellence. Light refreshments will follow.

RSVP is not necessary, but seating is limited. For more information, please visit www.nova.edu/ocean/divein, email Dive-in@list.nova.edu or call (954) 262-3678.

The Center is located at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, which is at the end of John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. Parking is free.

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About Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center: A world leader in marine biological research with focus on coral reef science and shark conservation, Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic Center has been at the forefront of graduate and undergraduate marine science education and oceanographic research for over 48 years. Students, scientists, faculty and staff come to the Center from all corners of the globe, with the common goal of learning from the ocean’s living classrooms — in one of the most diverse ecosystems known to man. http://www.nova.edu/ocean/

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Media Contact:
Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu