Collaborations
I have participated in and led 13 research expeditions throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. As a part of NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology (CIOERT) and Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), our research was designed to meet management deliverables with federal and university collaborative partners.
FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (FGBNMS)
I have participated in 6 SCUBA and 2 remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) cruises in the northwest Gulf of Mexico since 2014. The research objectives of these missions were to explore and characterize mesophotic reef habitats outside the current National Marine Sanctuary boundaries, and to conduct coral sampling and a transplant experiment for population genetics, skeletal morphometrics, and gene expression profiling.
This work was conducted in conjunction with NOAA partners at FGBNMS on board the sanctuary research vessel, the RV Manta, and using the University of North Carolina Wilmington Undersea Vehicle Program's (UNCW UVP) Mohawk ROV with FAU Harbor Branch-designed toolsled. Data from these projects are contributing to a recent FGBNMS Sanctuary Advisory Council proposal to expand the NMS boundaries to include additional mesophotic reef habitats in the northwest Gulf.
I have participated in 6 SCUBA and 2 remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) cruises in the northwest Gulf of Mexico since 2014. The research objectives of these missions were to explore and characterize mesophotic reef habitats outside the current National Marine Sanctuary boundaries, and to conduct coral sampling and a transplant experiment for population genetics, skeletal morphometrics, and gene expression profiling.
This work was conducted in conjunction with NOAA partners at FGBNMS on board the sanctuary research vessel, the RV Manta, and using the University of North Carolina Wilmington Undersea Vehicle Program's (UNCW UVP) Mohawk ROV with FAU Harbor Branch-designed toolsled. Data from these projects are contributing to a recent FGBNMS Sanctuary Advisory Council proposal to expand the NMS boundaries to include additional mesophotic reef habitats in the northwest Gulf.
PULLEY RIDGE PROJECT
As part of a multi-institution project funded by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), I aided in sample collection and population genetics analyses at Pulley Ridge and Dry Tortugas. As the deepest known mesophotic reef in U.S. waters, Pulley Ridge is on the West Florida continental shelf at a depth of 65–70 m. Given its close proximity to Dry Tortugas and the Florida Reef Tract, the objective of the project was to determine the level of connectivity between coral, fish, sponge, and algal species at Pulley Ridge to those at nearby reefs. Our research focused on the connectivity of Pulley Ridge coral populations to other mesophotic reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. The data from this project will aid in future management strategies for protecting coral habitats in the southeast Gulf of Mexico.
As part of a multi-institution project funded by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), I aided in sample collection and population genetics analyses at Pulley Ridge and Dry Tortugas. As the deepest known mesophotic reef in U.S. waters, Pulley Ridge is on the West Florida continental shelf at a depth of 65–70 m. Given its close proximity to Dry Tortugas and the Florida Reef Tract, the objective of the project was to determine the level of connectivity between coral, fish, sponge, and algal species at Pulley Ridge to those at nearby reefs. Our research focused on the connectivity of Pulley Ridge coral populations to other mesophotic reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. The data from this project will aid in future management strategies for protecting coral habitats in the southeast Gulf of Mexico.
CARRIE BOW CAY, BELIZE SMITHSONIAN FIELD STATION
I have led and participated in 3 expeditions to the Smithsonian field station on Carrie Bow Cay since 2014. In addition to the exploration of mesophotic reefs along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, we have conducted coral sampling for population genetics and gene expression research. On our latest expedition in 2017, we contributed to an aerial mapping project at CBC, creating high-resolution, georeferenced maps of the island and surrounding reef habitats for the Smithsonian. The data from these projects will provide baseline information regarding population structure of corals within Belize and downstream habitats. |
CUBA'S TWILIGHT ZONE REEFS
In collaboration with Cuban scientific partners, I served as a coral lead on the NOAA Ocean Explorer expedition with the objectives of exploring and characterizing the extent of mesophotic reefs in Cuba and comparing the health and connectivity (physical, genetic, and ecological) among the mesophotic and shallow coral reef systems in Cuba and the U.S. This cruise was in support of the Joint Statement between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba on Cooperation on Environmental Protection (November 24, 2015) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. National Park Service, and Cuba’s National Center for Protected Areas.
The MOU establishes a “Sister-Sanctuary” relationship between the marine sanctuaries Guanahacabibes and Banco de San Antonio in Cuba and the marine sanctuaries in the U.S., in particular, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), Pulley Ridge Habitat Area of Particular Concern (PR HAPC), and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS).
In collaboration with Cuban scientific partners, I served as a coral lead on the NOAA Ocean Explorer expedition with the objectives of exploring and characterizing the extent of mesophotic reefs in Cuba and comparing the health and connectivity (physical, genetic, and ecological) among the mesophotic and shallow coral reef systems in Cuba and the U.S. This cruise was in support of the Joint Statement between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba on Cooperation on Environmental Protection (November 24, 2015) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. National Park Service, and Cuba’s National Center for Protected Areas.
The MOU establishes a “Sister-Sanctuary” relationship between the marine sanctuaries Guanahacabibes and Banco de San Antonio in Cuba and the marine sanctuaries in the U.S., in particular, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), Pulley Ridge Habitat Area of Particular Concern (PR HAPC), and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS).
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (FDEP)
As part of a multi-agency, interdisciplinary coordination effort to develop mitigation and protection strategies for corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), the Voss Lab at FAU Harbor Branch and agency partners at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have been conducting disease monitoring surveys throughout the Northern Florida Reef Tract in Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward counties. Additionally, we are developing molecular (gene expression and microbial community profiling) and 3D modeling techniques to assess intervention success in lab-based and field-based experimental designs. Our data, in conjunction with products from the other members of this collaborative effort, will help to develop management and conservation strategies to respond to future disease outbreaks. |
ST. LUCIE REEF STATE PARK
Since 2009, the Voss Lab at FAU Harbor Branch and agency partners at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have been monitoring coral health at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park (SLR). The coral reef offshore Stuart, FL represents the latitudinal limit for most tropical coral species in the contiguous U.S., and SLR supports a diverse assemblage of ecologically and economically-important fish species. I have participated in this monitoring project, with the objective of providing monitoring data regarding coral health responses to estuarine discharges.
Since 2009, the Voss Lab at FAU Harbor Branch and agency partners at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have been monitoring coral health at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park (SLR). The coral reef offshore Stuart, FL represents the latitudinal limit for most tropical coral species in the contiguous U.S., and SLR supports a diverse assemblage of ecologically and economically-important fish species. I have participated in this monitoring project, with the objective of providing monitoring data regarding coral health responses to estuarine discharges.
GLOBAL UNDERWATER EXPLORERS' PROJECT BASELINE
In 2015, Global Underwater Explorers' (GUE) Project Baseline teamed up with FAU Harbor Branch to explore the deepwater Oculina reef habitats off the Florida East Coast. These reefs were originally characterized by HBOI's John Reed, and serve as critical habitat for commercially and economically-important fish species. I contributed to the outreach objective of this mission to document the research activities using aerial and underwater media. |