Solutions for resilient Reefs
The Coral Reef and Ocean Health research group (also known as the Bahr Lab) advances solutions for a rapidly changing ocean.
From coastal wetlands to coral reefs, we investigate how marine organisms and ecosystems respond to local pressures—including turbidity, sedimentation, and declining water quality—as well as global threats such as ocean warming, acidification, and coral bleaching.
Through bold research, innovative restoration, and collaborative partnerships, we turn science into action.
Our mission is to strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems, support their sustainable use, and train the next generation of ocean leaders.
Our research team is dedicated to developing the knowledge and tools to restore, preserve, and manage our marine ecosystems.
Learn more about what we do!
Click here to see what you can do to reduce your environmental impact!
Some of our highlights!
Dr. Keisha Bahr spearheads an innovative hands-on training program designed to empower students undergoing scientific diver training. Drawing upon the methodologies and standards of the NOAA Coral Reef Monitoring Program, this initiative equips participants with essential skill sets crucial for a career in marine science and resource management.
Dr. Bahr and Research Aquarist Jack Willans were invited to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) along with other coral and marine scientists in an effort to strengthen research collaboration for the largest and most pristine coral reef system in North America. The FGBNMS comprises 17 coral reefs located at depths of 100 feet or more and 80-130 miles off the coasts of LA and TX, representing a unique coral ecosystem largely unaffected by human interactions or disturbances.
The Coral Reef and Ocean Health Research Group partnered with Reef Renewal USA to transport over 200 coral fragments from a nursery in Tavernier, FL, across the Gulf to the Harte Research Institute, where studies will be conducted to help inform resiliency practices in coral reef restoration