Happy 50th Anniversary, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute!

This year marks the golden anniversary of the founding of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, which joined the FAU family in 2007. Founded in 1971 by J. Seward Johnson Sr., heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company, and his long-time friend, famed inventor Edwin A. Link, Harbor Branch was designed to be research institution for marine scientists and engineers. Fifty years later, the Institute is a primary driver of FAU’s growing research portfolio and is known as a trusted leader and expert resource for marine science research, conservation and education.

When FAU’s strategic plan was created in 2015, Ocean Science and Engineering/Environmental Sciences was listed as a key research pillar. Today, Harbor Branch is the headquarters for this effort. Our researchers’ work is regularly used by agencies charged with the stewardship of our environment. Harbor Branch researchers also are regularly featured in national and international news media for their efforts related to sea life conservation, harmful algal blooms, aquaculture, drug discovery, national defense, and more. This video provides a quick look at some of the exciting work taking place at Harbor Branch.

We have a number of events scheduled throughout the academic year to celebrate FAU Harbor Branch: 50 years of Ocean Science for a Better World^®. This week kicked off a mini-lecture series at the Elliott Museum in Stuart, where there’s also a full exhibit about Harbor Branch, featuring the famed Johnson Sea Link submersible. There’s special historical content included in tours and in new exhibitions at Harbor Branch’s Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, and through FAU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Additionally, the annual Ocean Science Lecture Series, which begins in January, will highlight the Institute’s historic events and signature research programs that contribute to ocean science on a global scale.

I invite you to join us as we celebrate the past, present and future of FAU Harbor Branch’s leadership in ocean science and engineering education and discovery. You can view an interactive historical timeline, and get more information about our upcoming 50^th anniversary celebration events, at https://www.fau.edu/hboi/50/.