The National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI), homed at Nova Southeastern University, was created by congressional mandate in 1998 and refunded in 2023 with the mission of ensuring the future of the world’s coral reefs and oceans for the benefit of humanity and nature. NCRI is dedicated to advancing coral reef research through collaboration and coordination, focusing on scientific partnerships and knowledge-sharing to address coral reef challenges. This multidisciplinary group of coral reef researchers has expertise from ecology to biology, genetics, and social science. NCRI conducts research to better understand and address the challenges facing the world’s coral reefs and inform best management practices.
NCRI aims to conserve and restore the condition of coral reef ecosystems challenged by natural and human-accelerated changes. NCRI does this by conducting research that supports science-based management, sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems, and innovative solutions that benefit local communities and the nation.
Learn more about NCRI's Science Plan below!
Stay informed about NCRI's latest research, updates, and announcements!
January 6, 2026
In this study, researchers tracked thousands of treated corals in the Florida Keys for three years to find out how well amoxicillin treatments worked long‑term. They found that survivorship varied significantly by species and habitat, with obvious “winners” and “losers,” but overall treatment proved to be a highly effective tool for coral survival.
December 5, 2025
This study used long-term data sets and machine learning to analyze the previously undefined linkages between watershed inputs and water quality on coral reefs in southeast Florida, including interactions with meteorological (rain and wind) patterns.
November 6, 2025
Florida's Coral Reefs is changing. While the hard, stony corals that build reef structures have been declining, soft corals called octocorals—including the colorful sea fans, sea whips, and sea rods—are becoming increasingly dominant across Florida's reefs.
October 28, 2025
Scientists discovered that what was long thought to be a single species of Caribbean brain coral is actually two hidden types that look the same but reproduce in different seasons.
Join NCRI for presentations from leading researchers dedicated to the future of coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.
Dr. John Parkinson, University of South Florida
In this session, we welcome Dr. John Parkinson to discuss a multi-year collaborative research effort centered on improving acroporid restoration success by uncovering the genetic and ecophysiological basis for coral heat tolerance traits.
Dr. Curt Storlazzi, University of California, Santa Cruz
In this session, we welcome Dr. Curt Storlazzi to discuss the role coral reefs play in coastal hazard reduction. Learn how physics-based modeling is being used to identify and optimize coral reef restoration strategies that reduce coastal flooding risks and strengthen community resilience.