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��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX���� Harbor Branch Announces 2026 Ocean Science Lecture Series

James M. Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director of ��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX���� Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, will kick off the 2026 Ocean Science Lecture Series with an introduction to Florida's new Office of Ocean Economy.

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��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX����’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute announced the lineup for its annual “John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series.” All lectures begin at 4 p.m. at ��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX���� Harbor Branch, Johnson Marine Education Center Auditorium, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce.

These free public education events provide a forum for the community to learn about the most recent discoveries and innovations at ��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX���� Harbor Branch and around the world directly from the scientists and engineers who make them. Each lecture is followed by a question-and-answer session and a meet-and-greet with the speaker.

 “This year’s Ocean Science Lecture Series will showcase the breadth of marine science research underway at Florida Atlantic,”  said James M. Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director of ��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX���� Harbor Branch. “The work our research faculty and scientists do every day has a genuine impact on our ocean economy and our future.”

The 2026 lecture series schedule is as follows:

• Jan. 14, “An Introduction to Florida’s Office of Ocean Economy,” presented by James M. Sullivan, Ph.D.
• Jan. 21, “Florida’s Sea Turtles and Our Changing Climate,” presented by Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D.
• Jan. 28, “Into the Blue: Exploring Ocean Submarine Springs Offshore of West Florida,” presented by Jordon Beckler, Ph.D.
• Feb. 4, “Discovery of Anti-Cancer Drugs from the Sea,” presented by Esther Guzmán, Ph.D.
• Feb. 11, “The Science of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt,” presented by Brian Lapointe, Ph.D.
• Feb. 18, “Our Story: The Queen Conch Lab,” presented by Megan Davis, Ph.D.
• Feb. 25, “From Classroom to Coastline: Preparing the Next Wave of Ocean Leaders,” presented by Gabby McHenry, Ph.D.
• March 4, “Plague Hunters: The Race to Find the Cause of the World’s First Pandemic,” presented by Greg O’Corry-Crowe, Ph.D.
• March 11, “Ocean Optics: Shedding Light on the Ocean Around Us,” presented by Wayne Slade, Ph.D.
• March 18, graduate student lecture, “Cell Imaging to Reveal the Hidden World of Plankton,” presented by Stephanie Schreiber and Olivia Ruchti.
• March 25, “Breaking Ground with Underwater Sound,” presented by Matt Ajemian, Ph.D.

Attendance is free and open to the public; however advanced registration is required. This one-time registration provides a pass for the entire season. All lectures are also streamed live on the ��Ʒ�ٸ�XXXX���� Harbor Branch website, and recordings of previous events are available in the online archive.

To register or for more information, visit fau.edu/hboi/osls.

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Tags: science | harbor branch | research