Coral Reef Photo courtesy of NOAA.

Reef Research

 

Dr. Michael McCartney, Biology and Marine Biology, and colleagues are examining the recent radiation of mating preferences and color pattern differences in a group of Caribbean coral reef fishes.

 

Dr. Joseph Pawlik, Biology and Marine Biology, and his lab focus on the functions of unusual organic compounds derived from Caribbean coral reef sponges and sea whips, particularly as defenses against predation, fouling, and overgrowth. 

 

Dr. Alina Szmant, Biology and Marine Biology, focuses on the reproductive ecology and physiological ecology of reef corals and on nutrient dynamics in tropical coastal systems.

 

Coral Reef Ecosystem research at UNCW focuses on basic and applied aspects of biology, physiology and ecology of reef corals and other reef biota.

 

Coral Reef Research Group and Nutrient Lab research group is composed of scientists working on different aspects of coral reef ecology and nutrient cycling.