Jennifer Mallon

Fulbright-All Disciplines Scholar - Nova Southeastern University and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Jennifer completed her doctoral studies in marine biogeochemistry of coral reefs at the University of Glasgow, Scotland in collaboration with the Coralium Laboratory of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her research focuses on corals and algae which grow carbonate skeletons in a process known as calcification to build and maintain the coral reef structure. Some coral reef structures protect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, by creating a barrier between coastal communities and the open ocean. As storm frequency and intensity increase due to the climate crisis, this is a critical ecosystem service.  

Her Fulbright project will focus on measuring calcification rates to support reef restoration efforts in the Florida Keys. She is looking forward to spending 12-months at Mote International Center for Coral Reef Restoration and Research in the Florida Keys working under the supervision of Dr Emily Hall, Mote, and Dr Tyler Cyronak, Nova Southeastern University. Their research aims to develop a cost-effective method to monitor reef health using biogeochemical measurements of calcification to track reef growth and function, they will test this method to determine if calcification measured from changes in seawater chemistry can be used to monitor reef health, track conservation success, and identify reefs at risk.