Coastal Edges director’s note June 2023

June 1, 2023

‘Tis the Field Season!  Field season is here! For many scientists here at the Center for Coastal Solutions (CCS), summer is prime time to do field research outdoors across Florida, North America and internationally. Some of my best memories as a scientist are of being out on Sapelo Island, up to my waist in mud, working […]

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Scientists develop techniques for restoring dunes faster

May 30, 2023

Coastal dunes are one of the first lines of protection for communities and infrastructure on the coast in the face of extreme storm events, sea level rise and other effects of climate change. By adding nutrients to the soil, diversifying plant species and planting density, CCS researchers found that dunes can revegetate and grow to […]

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Codefest to build next gen ocean models

May 30, 2023

The CCS technical team took part in the four-day University of Florida Open Hackathon, hosted in collaboration with OpenACC Organization, in May to write code for a new coastal and ocean model that can run simulations of coastal and oceanic processes much faster and more accurately than currently possible. During the codefest, Ron Fick, Ph.D., […]

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Can dead corals bring new life?

May 30, 2023

Even in death, corals may play an important role in preserving life in the ocean. With support from a 2023 National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career Award, UF Assistant Professor Andrew Altieri, Ph.D., will launch a new project to investigate the role of dead corals in the resilience of tropical coastal ecosystems and engage high school students, teachers, undergraduate, and graduate students through […]

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Fifth generation Floridian Kevin Taylor joins CCS advisory board

May 30, 2023

This month’s SeaSquad features an interview with our newest advisory board member, Kevin Taylor, who shares his family’s deep roots in The Sunshine State, his long-standing love for the University of Florida, why the CCS’ mission matters, and what the perfect day in Florida looks like to him.   Tell us about yourself and your connection […]

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Empowering coastal communities with decision aids

May 30, 2023

University of Florida engineering alumni gathered at a Gator Nation event in Jupiter to hear how the CCS is working to unlock Florida’s potential to quickly implement data-driven and cost-effective actions to improve water quality statewide through its decision support system. This integrated system identifies root causes of water quality issues and simulates solutions using […]

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Sydney Williams: Bridging the science-policy gap in aquaculture

May 30, 2023

Congratulations to Sydney Williams, winner of an aquaculture fellowship from the Florida Sea Grant. With this support, Williams, a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in environmental engineering sciences, will help advance regulation and policy reform for seagrass and clam restoration aquaculture. This will involve working with aquaculturists, legislators, state agencies and stakeholders to develop regulatory guidelines […]

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Dutch student Alex van Pelt enjoys field work in Florida

May 30, 2023

Undergraduate student Alex van Pelt is inspired by biology at every scale, from cells to whole ecosystems, to find innovative solutions for a more circular economy. As a summer intern at the CCS, van Pelt works alongside researchers in the field and builds research skills as she gets set to close her chapter as an undergraduate student. […]

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Director’s note May 2023

April 28, 2023

Sweet endings and new beginnings Dear Friends and Colleagues,   Commencement season is upon us, and the campus here at the University of Florida is abuzz with optimism. Graduating students are happily wrapping up their final days nestled within the Gator community and looking with anticipation to the next phase of their lives and careers. Our […]

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Researchers tackle climate change “triple threat”

April 28, 2023

UF marine ecologist Andrew Altieri, Ph.D., recently returned from Bergen, Norway where he joined the Global Ocean Oxygen Network (GO2NE) as one of its newest members. This small working group of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, whose members come from more than 15 countries, meets twice a year towards the goals of increasing research capacity, identifying […]

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