Sea Secrets Lecture Series

Explore the latest breakthroughs in marine science, environmental conservation and climate change through an exciting lecture series hosted by the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The Sea Secrets Lecture Series, taking place from January to April 2025, will feature five expert speakers discussing their groundbreaking research. Each event will begin with a complimentary reception at SALT Waterfront Restaurant on the Rosenstiel Campus at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:00 p.m..

The series will include:

• January 14: Dr. Catherine McDonald, Director of the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, will discuss the biology, ecology and conservation of sharks and rays in South Florida. She will focus on research exploring the physiological effects of recreational fishing on sharks, with a case study on nurse sharks, as well as long-term monitoring of a shark nursery off the coast of Miami.

• February 4: Dr. Esther Guzmán, Research Professor in Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University, will present her work on discovering anti-cancer drugs from marine natural products. She has spent over two decades researching marine compounds that could be used as therapeutics against cancer, including lung, colon and pancreatic cancers.

• February 25: Dr. Michael Falkowski, Program Manager of the NASA Wildland Fire Program, will address how climate change and human activity are changing fire regimes worldwide. Drawing from his experience with NASA and Colorado State University, he will discuss how Earth Observation data is used to improve fire management and help communities adapt to more frequent and intense wildfires.

• March 18: Dr. James W. Hurrell, Scott Presidential Chair of Environmental Science and Engineering and Professor of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, will explore solar climate intervention as a potential strategy to mitigate climate change impacts. He has worked extensively on climate variability and predictability and is actively involved in research on climate interventions.

• April 22: Dr. Jonathan Zawislak, Meteorologist and Flight Director at NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center, will provide insight into the science of hurricane hunting. Having flown over 200 passes of hurricane eyewalls in NOAA’s P-3 hurricane hunter aircraft, Dr. Zawislak will explain how data gathered during these flights improves storm forecasting and our understanding of hurricane behavior.

These lectures are also offered virtually via Zoom, and seating for in-person attendance is first come, first served.