Viktor W Brandtneris

At the age of 6 I knew I was going to be a marine biologist. Since then I've learned to SCUBA dive, completed a bachelors in marine sciences and biology at the University of Miami, and a masters in coral reef ecology at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).

Now I'm a full time researcher and technical SCUBA diver at UVI. My work focuses on exploration, description, and monitoring of coral reefs in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), the greater Caribbean, and the tropical eastern Pacific. My primary focus is the study of mesophotic coral ecosystems--coral reefs that exist between 100 and 400 feet deep.

Tyler Burton Smith

As a coral reef ecologist I am interested in the dynamics of reef populations, interactions between reef organisms and how these interactions are modified by physical forcing and man. As Coordinator for Research for the US Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monitoring Program I seek to conduct investigations and form collaborations which strengthen our understanding of the workings and fates of coral reefs both here and abroad. My current research focuses on the ecological effects of bleaching events, terrestrial input and upwelling. My approach is to conduct innovative research using a multidisciplinary approach combining reef monitoring, physical oceanography, watershed studies and statistically based experiments in an effort to identify the most critical factors increasing and allaying reef stress. This not only involves more accurate monitoring of factors potentially impacting reefs, but a better understanding of the detectible responses of reef organisms, i.e. bioindicators, and the meaning of these bioindicators to the trajectory and composition of reef communities over time. My desire is to continue both basic and applied ecological research that adds to our knowledge of reef systems and provides strategies for reef protection.

Colin Howe

Hello, my name is Colin Howe. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology at Old Dominion University in Virginia. I started my marine science career as an intern for ODU in the Florida Keys studying lobsters, then switched to studying lionfish and teaching fish identification skills with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) in Key Largo. Following my internship at REEF, I spent eight months as a teaching and research assistant for the Council of International Education Exchange (CIEE) in Bonaire. I spent most of my time teaching, conducting research and diving as much as possible. I earned my first co-authorship on a publication monitoring diver impacts on coral reefs and that opportunity sparked my interest in coral ecology. I moved to St. Thomas to start my masters at the University of the Virgin Islands. Through the program I’ve been trained on technical diving procedures which allows me to participate with research on the unique Mesophotic coral reef ecosystem found in St. Thomas. It is exciting to study an ecosystem only a few have seen. To collaborate with creative and innovative thinkers is a dream come true and together we can continue to answer many questions about the mesophotic reef ecosystem.