FEBRUARY Chelsea Bennice, Florida Atlantic University’s Marine Lab Octopus Research in South Florida: Behavior, Bacteria, and Beyond! 

Chelsea Bennice is a marine biologist and science communicator. Her research interests include animal behavior and ecology, with an expertise in octopus biology. She earned a B.S. from The Ohio State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. She is a research fellow at Florida Atlantic University’s Marine Lab and serves as a lead scientific diver and board member for the Scientific Diving and Boating Safety Committee. She uses innovative science tools such as a 24 hour camera, the octopus monitoring gadget (OMG), and a floating lab to aid in answering research questions. Her “octo-topics” include behavior, the skin microbiome, genetics, and morphology. Her research is highlighted in popular articles and scientific publications. Chelsea is an advocate for bridging scientists and the community. 

Her responsibilities at the FAU Marine Lab also include overseeing outreach projects and mentoring students in the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Marine SEA Scholars (Science, Education and the Arts) program. She serves as the lead scientific advisor for the nonprofit, OctoNation®, whose mission is to inspire ocean exploration and conservation by understanding octopuses. Spending more than 1,000 hours underwater studying octopuses has earned her the nickname “OctoGirl,” a signature she uses to share her passion for octopuses and conservation on social media, podcasts, documentaries, and in recent books such as Secrets of the Octopus.

DECEMBER SFDI Holiday Party CANCELLED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION DELAYS - REScheduled for Holiday Party

The Holiday Party has been held at the I.T. Parker Center for many, many years. It is a wonderful location on the water. In 2024, the City of Dania invested in refurbishing the Center. The Center is looking good, however there are some construction delays and it won’t be ready when they promised.

HOWEVER

We will be having an SFDI Holiday Party! Stay tuned for the details.

NOVEMBER SPEAKER DR. JESSICA TAN -DIVING INTO THE HURRICANES: THEIR MIGHTY DANCE OVER THE BLUE, THEIR DEADLY KISS ON THE SHORES, AND OUR JOURNEY TO COEXIST

Dr. Tan at RMAS Hurricane Lab, Univ of Miami

From the catastrophic loss of the Spanish treasure fleet in 1733 to the devastating tragedies of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which claimed over 200 lives, hurricanes have long been viewed as nature's most fearsome phenomenon in the tropics. With their fierce winds tearing apart rooftops, torrential rains causing floods, and towering waves swallowing ships and shorelines, these storms have shaped both history and coastlines alike. 

For over a century, scientists have tirelessly pursued a deeper understanding of the forces that give rise to hurricanes, the elements that fuel their power, and how we can improve our ability to forecast and track them with greater precision. At the University of Miami, our club member and speaker, Jessica Tan, along with a team of researchers from NOAA, NASA, the US Navy and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are at the forefront of this quest. Together, they seek to refine the models that predict hurricane behavior and explore innovative, eco-friendly solutions, like artificial reefs, to design breakwaters that protect our shores. 

Join SFDI on November 6th, when Jessica will unveil the mysteries behind hurricane formation and offer a glimpse into the science that seeks to safeguard South Florida’s future, ensuring a safer tomorrow for all who call this vulnerable region home. 

ABOUT DR. JESSICA PEISEN TAN 

Jessica Peisen Tan, originally from China, recently defended her PhD in Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmosphere and Earth Sciences. Growing up on the Pacific coast of China, she spent her childhood on the beach collecting seashells, which ignited her passion for marine science. A family trip to Honolulu in 2015, her first time on US soil, inspired her to pursue her American dream as a marine scientist. 

At the University of Miami's SUSTAIN (SUrge-STructure-Atmosphere Interaction) Lab, Jessica has collaborated with other scientists to simulate Category 5 hurricanes and beyond. She has hosted SFDI club members at the Lab for an informative visit.  With a passion for communication, she has published her research in journals and presented at international conferences, including, most recently, the Physical Oceanography Dissertation Symposium in Hawaii. 

In addition to her academic pursuits, Jessica enjoys being a part-time underwater photographer, hitting the gym, and occasionally modeling for fashion brands.