Serena Hoermann, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, Assistant Research Professor, School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability
Urban planning researcher focused on climate gentrification, sea-level rise resilience and equitable transportation systems.
Community Displacement ResearchSea-Level Rise Adaptation PlanningPublic AdministrationEnvironmental SustainabilityClimate Resilience Planning
Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D.
Professor
He studies the sensory biology and behavior of sharks and their relatives as well as their seasonal migrations in southeast Florida.
TelemetryRaysShark BehaviorSensory BiologyElasmobranchs
Brian LaPointe, Ph.D.
Research Professor at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Brian Lapointe’s research interests include algal physiology and biochemistry, marine bioinvasions and marine conservation.
Marine BioinvasionsCoral Reef EcologyAlgal PhysiologyBiochemistrySeagrass Ecology
Colin Polsky, Ph.D.
Director of the Florida Center for Environmental Studies
Colin Polsky is trained as a geographer, specializing in the human dimensions of global environmental change.
U.S. Climate VulnerabilitiesGeographyHumanities Human Dimensions of Global Environmental ChangeMathematics
Jim Sullivan, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Jim Sullivan is an expert in biological and physical mechanisms controlling the spatial-temporal dynamics of plankton populations.
Sampling InstrumentationHarmful Algal Bloom DynamicsSpatial-temporal Dynamics of PlanktonBioluminescence in the Ocean
Joshua Voss, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor
Joshua Voss's areas of interest include coral reef ecology, coral health and disease, molecular ecology, marine conservation and management.
Coral Health and DiseaseCoral Reef EcosystemsMarine ConservationMolecular EcologyCoral Reef Ecology
Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D.
Professor
Jeanette Wyneken is an expert in vertebrate morphology, physiological ecology, behavioral ecology, and marine conservation biology.
Marine Conservation BiologyPhysiological EcologyVertebrate MorphologyBehavioral Ecology
Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability
Explore the experts, research and perspectives shaping a more sustainable future for Florida’s environment, coastlines and oceans.
Florida’s future is closely tied to the health of its waterways, coastlines and surrounding ocean. From rising seas and harmful algal blooms to coral reef decline and changing marine wildlife populations, Florida Atlantic researchers are helping communities understand emerging environmental risks, evaluate potential solutions and make better-informed decisions. Their work offers valuable context for Florida while addressing challenges confronting coastal regions around the world.
Featured Experts
Meet the Florida Atlantic experts examining the forces reshaping Florida’s environment, coastlines and oceans.
Rising Seas, Resilient Communities
Sea-level rise, flooding, stronger storms and continued coastal development are placing growing pressure on Florida’s communities and infrastructure. This area examines how residents perceive environmental risks, which communities are most vulnerable, how property values and insurance may be affected, and what governments can do to strengthen resilience and plan for long-term change.
Experts
Offers insight into flooding, sea-level rise and the challenges of coastal adaptation.
Explains how storms, runoff and pollution affect coastal waters and communities.
Studies how king tides signal long-term flooding risk and how communities can plan for it.
When Florida’s Waters Turn Toxic
Harmful algal blooms, red tide, cyanobacteria and massive Sargassum accumulations can damage ecosystems, threaten wildlife, affect human health and disrupt tourism and coastal economies. Experts can address what fuels these events, how blooms move through waterways, the role of wastewater and nutrient pollution, and the technologies being developed to monitor and mitigate them.
Experts
Explains how harmful blooms develop, spread and are detected.
Uses environmental DNA and genomics to study microorganisms and detect changes in marine ecosystems.
Examines marine mammal immune function and how environmental conditions may affect animal health.
Connects nutrient pollution to harmful algal blooms, Sargassum and poor water quality.
The Fight for Florida’s Reefs
Florida’s coral reefs face overlapping pressures from disease, warming waters, poor water quality and human activity. This area explores why reefs are declining, how environmental stress changes coral communities, what scientists are learning through molecular research and how restoration and management programs can improve the chances of reef survival.
Experts
Provides insight into coral disease, reef health and restoration efforts.
Explains how pollution and algal growth place added stress on coral reefs.
Wildlife in a Changing Ocean
Rising temperatures, shifting currents, coastal development, pollution and changing food sources are altering the behaviour and habitats of marine animals. Experts can address sea turtle nesting and survival, shark migration and sensory behaviour, fishing interactions, changing species distributions and the conservation measures needed to protect vulnerable wildlife.
Experts
Explores how changing conditions affect sea turtle development and survival.
Offers insight into shark behaviour, migration and fisheries interactions.
Explores how climate and ecosystem change affect marine mammals, apex predators and population resilience.
Uses genomics to investigate marine mammal health, immune function and changing environmental conditions.
Studies marine mammal genetics, population health and conservation through field and laboratory research.
Latest Spotlights
Research and insights into the issues affecting Florida's environment oceans and coastlines.