University of Miami Rosenstiel School announces 2025 Climate Café series

The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science will host the first of its Climate Café lecture series October 29, 2025, featuring three coral researchers talking about the latest efforts to restore these vital ecosystems. In November, the second event will offer a window into how deep sea fish help regulate the earth’s carbon cycle.

The Climate Café lecture series is a free public program designed to share cutting-edge science with the South Florida community. Moderated by Jenny Staletovich, award-winning WLRN NPR environment reporter, both fall events offer a conversation-style program featuring Rosenstiel School faculty members and collaborators in an informal, interactive space where participants can engage with scientists, students, and stakeholders shaping the region’s environmental future. Discussions highlight new research in climate and environmental science, and how these insights can guide resilience and restoration policy in South Florida and beyond.

The Future of Florida’s Coral Reef: New Approaches for Rebuilding Resilience

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. reception, 4:30 p.m. program

Coral scientists from the Rosenstiel School and its NOAA Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) will discuss the latest coral restoration research strategies, which aim to protect Florida’s iconic reefs from rising ocean temperatures, disease, and pollution. Researchers will describe how they created what they hope will be more heat resilient corals by cross-breeding Florida’s elkhorn corals with elkhorns from Honduras. These “Flonduran” corals are being used in a world-first attempt to help boost the climate resilience of Florida reefs. Researchers will also discuss microbe-assisted coral rearing, and insights from “urban corals” thriving in extreme environments, like the Port of Miami.

Featured Speakers:

•    Andrew Baker, director, Coral Reef Futures Lab; professor, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology

•    Michael Studivan, associate scientist, University of Miami CIMAS, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Division

•    Ana Palacio, associate scientist, University of Miami CIMAS, Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division

Register for in person attendance here.   Register for online via Zoom here.

Hidden Engineers of the Deep—How Fish Shape the Ocean’s Carbon Cycle

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. reception, 4:30 p.m. program

The second Climate Café offers a conversation on groundbreaking research showing how deep-sea fish—which constitute nearly 94% of global fish biomass—play a vital role in regulating the planet’s carbon cycle. Rosenstiel School scientists will share the first direct evidence that these species produce “ichthyocarbonates,” or mineral particles that influence ocean chemistry and climate.

Featured Speakers:

•    Martin Grosell, professor and chair, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology

•    Amanda Oehlert, assistant professor, Department of Marine Geosciences

•    Rachael Heuer, research assistant professor, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology

Register for in person attendance here.   Register for online via Zoom here.

The Climate Café series is presented by William J. Gallwey, III, with support from the University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies.

For more information about the series visit our website.