For more than half a century, Florida Sea Grant has served at the heart of coastal and marine discovery. To celebrate our program’s 50th anniversary, we are proud to present “Decades of Advancing Coastal & Marine Science,” a curated seminar series spotlighting the incredible research and student talent within our statewide network. In this special commemorative webinar series, we will spotlight some of our core university partners across the state. Each session offers an inside look at these unique research hubs that work with Florida Sea Grant to help us protect, sustain, and grow coastal resources and dependent coastal communities. Join us as we celebrate where we’ve been, and more importantly, where the next generation of scientists is taking us!
Opening Seminar
University of Miami
May 15, 2026
12:00PM to 1:00PM ET
This session will include:
- Dr. Sherry Larkin – Director & Professor, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. James Cato – Former Director & Professor Emeritus, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. Daniel Benetti – Professor, Department of Marine Biology & Ecology & Campus Coordinator at University of Miami
- Dr. John Stieglitz – Research Associate Professor, Department of Marine Biology & Ecology at University of Miami
- Ana Zangroniz – UF/IFAS Sea Grant Extension Agent, Miami-Dade County with Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. John Hlavin – Ph.D., Shark Research & Conservation at University of Miami
Seminar #2
Florida State University
June 26, 2026
12:00PM to 1:00PM ET
This session will include:
- Dr. Sherry Larkin – Director & Professor, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. James Cato – Former Director & Professor Emeritus, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. Joel Trexler – Director, Coastal & Marine Laboratory & Professor of Biological Science, Florida State University
- Dr. Dean Grubbs – Full Research Faculty & Associate Director of Research, Florida State University
- Leslie Sturmer – UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Molluscan Shellfish & Aquaculture, Florida Sea Grant
- Samuel Kwawukume – Ph.D. Student, Food Safety, Aylesworth Scholar, Florida State University
- Hayley Lemoine – Ph.D. Candidate, Geography, 2025 Knauss Fellow, Florida State University
- Lillie Bradshaw – Ph.D. Candidate, Ecology & Evolution, 2025 FSG/Guy Harvey Fellow, Florida State University
Recent Partner Projects:
PCR Lateral Flow Assays for Rapid Onsite Seafood Authentication
Seminar #3
Florida International University
July 17, 2026
12:00PM to 1:00PM ET
This session will include:
- Dr. Sherry Larkin – Director & Professor, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. James Cato – Former Director & Professor Emeritus, Florida Sea Grant
- Dr. James Fourqurean – Associate Director, Institute of Environment, Florida International University
- Dr. Arindam Gan Chowdhury – Professor & Chair, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Florida International University
- Dr. Amal Elawady – Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Florida International University
- Dr. Tiffany Troxler – Associate Professor, Department of Earth & Environment, Florida International Un
- Dr. Matthew Marrero – Post-doctoral Researcher, Tropical Fish Ecology Lab, NMFS Fellow, Florida International University
- Morgan Jarrett – Ph.D. Student, Biological Sciences, 2025 FSG/Guy Harvey Fellow, Florida International University
Future webinars info coming soon.