Dr. Alain Duran
Our research lab is dedicated to advancing coral reef restoration across Florida’s coast by integrating complementary experimental and applied approaches. We investigate the mechanisms behind reef recovery via several avenues: harnessing herbivory—utilizing invertebrate grazers to curb algal growth to promote coral recruitment; assessing how sedimentation and LSAT impede coral larval settlement; and developing innovative outplanting techniques to bolster reef resilience. Concurrently, our macroalgae research examines diverse species’ reproductive structures and nutrient dynamics to inform holistic management strategies. Across all projects, we explicitly confront the challenges of climate change by evaluating the mechanisms behind coral recovery.
“Conservation is the preservation of life on earth, and that, above all else, is worth fighting for.”
