March Networking Luncheon featuring Dr Emily Hall, Mote Marine Scientist

For our March luncheon we are incredibly excited to hear from Dr. Emily R. Hall, Staff Scientist, Manager of the Ocean Acidification Program AND the Chemical and Physical Ecology Program.

Dr. Emily Hall joined the staff at Mote Marine Laboratory in the Chemical Ecology Program in 2005 where she was most involved with research and monitoring of nutrient patterns in relation to harmful algal blooms in the west-central coast of Florida, and investigating sources of nutrients in aquatic systems. Dr. Hall currently manages the Ocean Acidification Program where she has developed ocean acidification and climate change experimental systems (in the Florida Keys – OAFTERU and in Sarasota – OASys) to study the effects of global and local variables on coral reef ecosystems as well as on other marine organisms. Ocean acidification (OA) and climate change are occurring due to the increased rate of anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere and the ocean. Understanding the effects of these global problems on marine organisms is a top priority. The implication and evidence are that increases of pCO2 along with increased temperatures (and combined with other environmental variables) will affect multiple critical biological components of marine ecosystems. Dr. Hall is also focusing her research on unique coastal and marine habitats that may be able to withstand or alleviate the effects of global changes on organisms like corals, such as within seagrass beds or offshore deep holes.

Dr. Hall is an adjunct professor at Ringling College of Art & Design, where she initiated cooperative work between the artists at Ringling and the scientists at Mote to produce public outreach tools for marine and coastal awareness known as “The Art of Marine Science” and she is courtesy faculty at USF-SM where she has taught chemistry and research methods courses.