Scripps Institution of Oceanography

?? COP29 Azerbaijan is less than two months away! ??? For the third year in a row, Scripps Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are shining a spotlight on the ocean at the United Nations's biggest climate conference, or Conference of Parties (COP). Here's how you can get involved! We’re currently seeking Ocean Pavilion partners for COP29, held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan. Partnership benefits include guaranteed programming slots, meeting room access, and branding opportunities within the Pavilion. You can apply to become an Ocean Pavilion partner here: https://lnkd.in/efnVXRG2

As climate change intensifies, its effects ripple globally, leaving no corner of our marine environments untouched. Thanks to a four-year, $10 million grant funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, a new center will be established at Scripps Oceanography to understand how climate change may impact the nervous systems and behavior of marine animals. The Allen Discovery Center for Neurobiology in Changing Environments will bring together a diverse team of experts in marine biology and neurobiology from Scripps Oceanography and across the UC San Diego campus, the University of Southern California, Carnegie Science, the University of Virginia, and MacEwan University. Using four exemplar marine species — staghorn coral, the slipper snail, the painted sea urchin and the three-spined stickleback fish — the Center will investigate how warming oceans, decreased oxygen levels and ongoing ocean acidification impact animals' nervous systems and behaviors. “The question is how the nervous systems of marine animals deal with natural environmental variability and whether they can adapt to the swiftly changing conditions brought about by anthropogenic climate change,” said Martin Tresguerres, a marine physiologist at Scripps who will lead the Allen Discovery Center for Neurobiology in Changing Environments. “Some species or populations may be more resilient or more vulnerable than others, and we want to identify them and try to understand the mechanisms behind this resiliency or vulnerability.” Learn more about the Allen Discovery Center for Neurobiology in Changing Environments: https://bit.ly/4gi93I2 Allen Institute UC San Diego School of Medicine

??? As temperatures climb, so do the risks for vulnerable communities. Researchers with UC San Diego are on a mission to uncover how extreme heat worsens social inequities and find solutions that protect those most at risk. Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego School of Medicine climate change epidemiologist Tarik Benmarhnia aims to deepen our understanding of how environmental and social determinants affect population health and equity—and to develop strategies that effectively minimize these impacts. You can learn more about his research here. ??

?? Whether you're curious about exploring the physics of outer space or fascinated by the creatures lurking in the deep sea, there's a program at Scripps Oceanography for you. ?? Applications are now open for our undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs, so here's your chance to join a community of passionate scientists making waves in earth science! ?? Learn more about opportunities in ocean, earth, and atmospheric sciences at Scripps Oceanography: https://lnkd.in/gPbGqNA

Congratulations to Scripps environmental microbiologist Linda Wegley Kelly for earning a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award! She is one of eight early-career researchers from UC San Diego who earned the prestigious award. She was recognized for her groundbreaking work highlighting the critical role microbes play in nutrient recycling and organic matter transformation across coral reef ecosystems, seaweed aquaculture, and intertidal habitats. Meet the awardees here. ??

Calling all UC San Diego undergraduate students! ?? Have you ever been interested in expanding your knowledge of marine sciences? Or maybe had any interest in working at sea on an oceanographic research vessel? Look no further than the Scripps Oceanography undergraduate course SIO 136: Marine Biology Laboratory. ?? ?? Offered in both the fall and spring quarters, this course is an introduction to the principles and techniques of marine biology. Not only do students have the opportunity to work aboard a research vessel, but they can also experience conducting hands-on research in the Dike Rock tide pools, Scripps Pier and Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This course is designed for students pursuing an undergraduate major at Scripps and also for UC San Diego students interested in taking a science course outside their major and field of study. If you're getting ready to build your schedule for next year, learn more about this course and other interesting undergraduate courses offered at Scripps. ?? https://bit.ly/3KZAdF4

This summer, a group of 18 undergraduate students from across the country participated in the 2024 Jane Teranes - Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (JT-SURF) program at UC San Diego. Funded by the National Science Foundation Division of Ocean Sciences and supported by D-ENTERPRISE, students were engaged in hands-on science and gained important insight into future careers in earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences. The program is named after Scripps Teaching Professor Jane Teranes, who passed away in 2022. She served as principal investigator and program director for SURF with the goal of increasing diversity at Scripps and within geosciences. The JT-SURF program carries forward this mission and is now led by Assistant Teaching Professor Dovi Kacev and Student Success and Summer Programs Coordinator Anaí Novoa. ?? Surf over to the following link to learn more about the 2024 program fellows and their summer research projects: https://lnkd.in/gUB3eFuX

?? This student-led program connects the public with the groundbreaking research and iconic spaces that make Scripps Oceanography one of the most important centers for earth science research and education! Since 2001, the Scripps Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE) program has been dedicated to fostering change through public education. Through SCOPE, Scripps graduate students and researchers lead laboratory visits for local students, provide virtual talks on several cool science topics, and of course, give the public a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Scripps Pier. These activities are designed to spark scientific curiosity and promote STEM education among today’s youth and the broader public. Interested in scheduling a virtual talk or in-person visit? Learn more. ??

After the discovery of a rare short-crested oarfish (Regalecus russellii) in La Jolla Cove on Aug. 10, a team of scientists performed a necropsy on the specimen that had the ocean community buzzing. ??? Scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California State University, Fullerton, and NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center studied the adult male which stretched an impressive 12.25 feet and tipped the scales at 74.3 pounds. The cause of death of the #oarfish, which was deemed to be in good condition, is still unknown. Scientists speculate that it could have washed up due to injury, illness, or disorientation. La Jolla Shores is situated next to two underwater canyons that funnel deep water close to shore. Samples collected during the necropsy will also be used for generating the first chromosome level genome of the oarfish, stable isotopic analysis to study the oarfish’s role in the marine food web, analysis of tissues for the presence of microplastics or DDT, reproductive analysis and more. “The discovery of this oarfish presents a rare opportunity to obtain fresh samples for genomic analysis, allowing us to study the evolutionary adaptations that enable this species to thrive in extreme deep-sea environments,” said Dahiana Arcila, marine biologist and curator of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps. “This finding also significantly contributes to documenting the biodiversity of our oceans, with each specimen providing valuable data to guide conservation efforts and enhance our understanding of marine ecosystems.” So, what’s next for our fishy friend? Following the examination, the fish is being preserved and is now part of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps, which houses one of the largest collections of deep-sea fish in the world. But that’s not all—Birch Aquarium at Scripps has rolled out a special temporary exhibit this week to celebrate this enigmatic creature! Head over to the main galleria to check out a life-size gyotaku art print of the oarfish, crafted by artist Dwight Hwang. Photos by UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen ?? Want to dive deeper? Read more about the oarfish here: https://lnkd.in/gYX786Wm Support the ongoing research and discoveries of the Scripps oceanographic collections here: https://lnkd.in/gswpWvtM

We’re thrilled to announce Living Seas, a reimagined exhibition that invites guests to explore the wonders of the Pacific Ocean in order to inspire a love of nature, a sense of place and ocean optimism! Opening summer 2025, this exhibition will replace the aquarium’s famed Hall of Fishes and is the largest capital improvement since the aquarium was built in 1992. ?? Experience the Pacific Northwest's cooler waters, featuring an immersive Giant Pacific Octopus habitat and captivating jellies. ?? Discover Coastal California in the aquarium’s signature Giant Kelp Forest and a reimagined Scripps Pier experience that provides an engaging look at cutting-edge research from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. ??Adventure to the Tropical Pacific, where stunning corals, vibrant reefs and a lush mangrove habitat await. Dive into the details of this exciting new exhibition and find out when renovations begin in the link below ?? https://lnkd.in/gheDfp-g ??? Image Rendering by Roto