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Coral reef communities are not just exquisitely beautiful, they are extremely important both ecologically and economically. Highly productive and biodiverse coral reefs protect our coastlines from erosion, provide essential habitat, and are integral in global nutrient cycling. In addition, corals support a worldwide multi-billion dollar diving and tourism industry. However, the ecological and societal benefits imparted by these reefs are seriously threatened. Coral reefs are experiencing a recent period of severe decline due to emerging coral diseases, climate change, fisheries exploitation, and land-based sources of pollution.

The Coral Reef & Molecular Ecology Lab integrates experimental and field monitoring approaches with advanced molecular techniques to better understand and protect coral ecosystems. Our primary goals are to:

• Identify and characterize coral reef habitats and resources
• Explore biodiversity, symbioses, and ecological processes in corals
• Track and predict the impacts of coral stressors and management actions on reef ecosystems
• Evaluate evidence of horizontal and vertical connectivity among coral reef ecosystems
• Develop and test techniques to enhance coral resilience and recovery
• Train researchers and students in both field and molecular techniques for coral reef ecology
• Provide data, information, and expertise to improve management strategies for marine ecosystems

To learn more about our lab and research, please visit our lab website.

Dr. Joshua Voss is a research professor and director of collegiate education at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. His primary areas of interest include shallow and mesophotic coral reef ecology, coral health and disease, molecular ecology, and marine conservation and management.

Through Harbor Branch's Robertson Coral Reef Program, he works to discover, characterize and protect coral reef ecosystems. A certified technical rebreather diver and scuba instructor, Voss has completed more than 2,000 scientific dives and led more than 50 scientific expeditions.

Voss teaches undergraduate courses in the Harbor Branch Semester by the Sea Program and graduate courses in FAU's Department of Biology and Marine Science and Oceanography Program, which he also co-directs. He previously served as executive director of NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology and as chair of the Harbor Branch Faculty Assembly.

Additionally, he has served on committees including the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council Coral Advisory Panel, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative Team (as co-lead of its Technical Advisory Committee), the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Technical Advisory Committee, the South Florida Marine Research Hub, and FAU's Diving and Boating Safety Committee.

Voss completed his bachelor's degree at Elon University in North Carolina, earned his doctorate in biological sciences at Florida International University, and was a member of the marine science faculty at Eckerd College before joining FAU Harbor Branch in 2007.