Gulfport, Mississippi, USA (Sept. 18th, 2026) --- This summer, August 18th – 26th 2026, Dr. Sandra Brooke, her PhD student, Laura Anthony, and histology technician, Katarina Simonson, took their second of four research cruises to explore and study Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) on the West Florida Shelf (WFS). This research was funded through the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program (FLRACEP) through the Florida Institute of Oceanography as part of a $4 million research initiative..

TEE-riffic day to play golf and raise funds for graduate student research!

Two lead research faculty from the Florida State University Coastal & Marine Laboratory (FSUCML) are playing major roles in a newly funded $4 million initiative focused on the deep-sea and coral ecosystems of the northeastern Gulf. The funding, awarded by the Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program (FLRACEP) through the Florida Institute of Oceanography, supports four collaborative research projects—two of which are led or co-led by FSUCML researchers.

Over the last few weeks, the Florida State University community has come together to grieve, to reflect, and to support one another like never before.  This weekend, we will come together in celebration as we recognize students walking in the spring commencement.  In the words of FSU President Richard McCullough, “These ceremonies will be a powerful reminder of what we share as a community: strength, compassion, and hope for the future.”  We are excited to celebrate one of our undergraduate students, Erin Tilly, as she walks the stage this weekend.

Laura Anthony has received the Jack Winn Gramling Award in Marine Biology from FSU!

This Black History Month, FSU's Coastal and Marine Laboratory is celebrating four innovative Black scientists who have changed the field of marine science. Whether they forge new fields of study, develop new mapping technologies, or fight for belonging in the world of STEM, these scientists continue to make strides in the face of adversity.

On Monday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission enlisted help from FSUCML staff members to rescue a stranded manatee. Our staff jumped at the chance and were happy to help this beautiful animal! Call the FWC hotline at (888) 404-FWCC if you encounter any stranded, injured, or sick wildlife. Great work everyone!

Congratulations to our nine FSUCML Diving Scholarship recipients! We are so excited to watch these young divers continue to learn and grow in their diving journeys. Read more about our recipients and their next steps.

Just like that, 2024 is coming to a close! We have two spectacular graduate students from the Breithaupt lab walking the stage during FSU’s winter commencement – Rachel Biton and Selma Squafi. Both will receive their Master’s – congratulations! We can’t wait to see the impact you will make in your future endeavors. Read on to learn about their time at FSU and where they are headed next.

FSUCML researchers, Dr. Sandra Brooke, Emily Fuqua, and Jen Bueno, began drone surveys to map depleted intertidal oyster reefs in Oyster Bay.