HBOI

Seagrass meadows are the foundation of a thriving coastline, providing shelter to juvenile fish, serving as food for manatees and sea turtles, stabilizing sediments, and preventing erosion during storms. Unfortunately, harmful algal blooms and poor water quality have caused a 60% decline in seagrass cover throughout the Indian River Lagoon in recent years. Florida Atlantic […]

Gifts to the Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Executive Director’s Fund allow the Institute to address its most critical and strategic priorities. Your investment in our mission provides scientists with an opportunity to conduct innovative studies that may not be funded through traditional grants. These gifts also allow the Institute to quickly respond to unforeseen

Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch is committed to training the next generation of scientists, industry professionals, and ocean leaders through a robust portfolio of undergraduate and graduate education programming. Through our one-of-a-kind Semester By The Sea and Masters in Marine Science and Oceanography programs, students learn directly from faculty members who are leaders in their

Ocean Discovery Outreach Programs Our Mission: Ocean Discovery outreach programs are the public gateway to the amazing marine science research happening at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch. Through public tours, exhibitions, on- and off-site events, citizen science, life-changing educational programs and work in underserved communities, our team strives to share research findings with the next

Ocean engineering and technological innovation form the cornerstone upon which Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch was built. From exploring the oceans via robotic vehicles, to developing new techniques that harness renewable energy from the Gulf Stream, Harbor Branch researchers and engineers have pioneered advanced technologies for decades. Today, our multidisciplinary team continues to create innovative

Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch researchers have been investigating the therapeutic potential of marine natural products for decades. Over the years, we have amassed more than 30,000 sea sponges and soft corals, as well as 19,000 microorganisms. Our goal is to identify compounds that can prevent cancer cells from spreading and to restore normal immune

For more than 20 years, Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch researchers have been studying the queen conch, a marine snail critical to Caribbean environments and cultures. This long-lived gastropod is prized for its pink shell, and nutritious and economic value. It is also an important seagrass grazer, removing epiphytic algae from the surface of the

Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch scientists are working to better understand the population of coastal sharks and rays in Florida by tracking their movements, studying their diets and feeding habits and assessing the health of their habitats. Our team also studies the complex interactions among these large predatory animals and commercial and recreational fishers. This

Join us in honoring the remarkable career and extraordinary legacy of Dr. M. Dennis Hanisak, a beloved and renowned member of our faculty, esteemed scientist, dedicated educator, and so much more. For over 30 years, Dr. Hanisak mentored aspiring young scientists, opening minds to the wonders of the marine environment, and preparing students to become