Our mission is to use science and engineering to protect and restore coral reefs, which are essential to the health of our oceans and the planet.
From science
to practice
Our interdisciplinary research team is focused on understanding the ecophysiology of corals and how we can use this knowledge to develop cutting-edge tools for reef restoration and engineering.
We are based at the Department of NanoEngineering at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and work in close collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO).
We study the key factors controlling the physiology and stress response of symbiotic reef corals. A specific interest is placed on understanding the physical and chemical microhabitat and its effect on coral holobiont response and coral-algal symbiosis. This includes understanding coral gas exchange and mass transfer, bio-optics, the 3D microenvironmental landscape and their role in controlling coral ecophysiology.
Coral Ecophysiology
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We believe that helping coral reefs is a multidisciplinary task and our research program thus crosses many traditional disciplines. We actively collaborate with a large network of researchers from different countries and disciplines with the common goal to understand, protect and restore coral reefs worldwide.
Impact
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We develop new tools and biomaterials for coral reef engineering. Based on a better understanding of coral ecophysiology, we aim to improve techniques for reef restoration and reef engineering. Current research includes the development of new biomaterials to enhance the recruitment and growth of corals and other beneficial reef organisms. Approaches include 3D printing, 3D bioprinting, polymer chemistry and biomaterials science.
Coral Engineering
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