The John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series provides a forum for the community to learn about the important research underway at FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and around the world.

This free series is available to the public, both in-person and virtually. Lectures are held on Wednesdays at 4 pm in the FAU Harbor Branch Johnson Marine Education Center Auditorium followed by a meet and greet with the speaker. Advanced registration is required for in-person attendees. Presentations will also be livestreamed and recorded, these are available online no login or password required. 

Please visit www.fau.edu/hboi/osls to reserve your spot and view lecture recordings, or call the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center at 772-242-2293 for more information. 

2026 John & Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series:

Jan 14:

An Introduction to Florida's Office of Ocean Economy at FAU

Jim Sullivan, Ph.D.

Jan 21:

Florida's Sea Turtles and our Changing Climate

Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D.  

Jan 28:

Into the Blue: Exploring Ocean Submarine Springs Offshore of West Florida

Jordon Beckler, Ph.D.

Feb 4:

Discovery of Anti-Cancer Drugs from the Sea

Esther Guzman, Ph.D.

Feb 11:

The Science of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt

Brian Lapointe, Ph.D.

Feb 18:

Our Story: The Queen Conch Lab

Megan Davis, Ph.D.

Feb 25:

From Classroom to Coastline: Preparing the Next Wave of Ocean Leaders

Gabby McHenry, Ph.D.

March 4:

Plague Hunters: The Race to Find the Cause of the World’s First Pandemic

Greg O' Corry-Crowe, Ph.D.

March 11:

Ocean Optics: Shedding Light on the Ocean Around Us

Wayne Slade, Ph.D.

March 18:

Cell Imaging to Reveal the Hidden World of Plankton

Stephanie Schreiber and Olivia Ruchti – Graduate Student Lecture

March 25:

Breaking Ground with Underwater Sound

Matt Ajemian, Ph.D.