Lectures begin at 9 a.m. and will last until approximately 10 a.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided starting at 8:30 a.m. Free with the price of admission ($3.25 for seniors 55+, $4.25 for adults), but space is limited. 

Microbes and Coral Larvae: Using Bacteria to Enhance Coral Restoration Efforts with Dr. Alyssa Demko, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Marine Station. Marine bacteria play an important but often overlooked role in the health and functioning of our coral reef ecosystems. At the Smithsonian Marine Station, we are working to understand the role of bacteria in coral settlement and whether probiotic bacteria can enhance the health and survival of newly settled coral recruits. This talk will highlight ongoing research to understand these bacteria-coral interactions and the implications for coral restoration efforts.