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Andia Fonnegra Chavez, PhD: Coral Reefs, Colorful Sponges, and Following Your Own Path (#77)

andia Chavez fonnegra

Dr. Andia Fonnegra Chavez studies sponges and their interactions on reefs at Florida Atlantic University.. In today’s fascinating conversation, Andia shares her story falling in love with the ocean growing up in Colombia, and how she ultimately ended up in the States. We chat about how sponges are important members of the reef building and maintenance crew, how most of the color you see on reefs are in fact sponges, the importance of following your own path, and so much more. Andia’s enthusiasm and passion for her work is absolutely contagious; you’re in for a treat.

This episode is brought to you by Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of FAU Harbor Branch’s relentless pursuit of Ocean Science for a Better World®. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, FAU Harbor Branch’s cutting-edge research focuses on five major areas: marine ecosystem conservation, aquaculture, the connection between ocean and human health, technological innovation and national defense. During my time at HB as part of the undergraduate Semester By the Sea program, I learned so much about the ocean and what it takes to become a good scientist. The programs and opportunities offered at FAU Harbor Branch have continued to swell since! To learn more, and how you can get involved, please visit www.fau.edu/hboi.

Quick Links
The River of the Seven Colors
Angiosperm
Coral-excavating sponges
Chemical ecology
Calcium carbonate in coral
Cnidoblast cells
Cliona (or boring) sponges
Coral List
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Nova Southeastern University
Shirley Pomponi
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Eddy
White plague disease
St. Thomas (and the rest of the Virgin Islands)
Hurricane Irma/Hurricane Maria’s effects on the U.S. Virgin Islands
Hurricanes and algae blooms
Indian River Lagoon

Show Notes

1:16 – When Andia was 13, she snorkeled for the first time in the Caribbean and her dream of becoming a marine biologist solidified. “For me it was like swimming in a beautiful garden.” She wanted to know the names of everything she saw, and she couldn’t believe that no one with her knew the names. 

2:47 – Andia provides an overview of some of the differences between algae and plants. 

4:31 – From ornithology to coral-killing sponges: Andia describes her undergraduate research experience, and how she ended up deciding to go straight into a Master’s program after graduating from undergrad. 

9:14 – During her Master’s research, Andia wanted to know how long it takes the coral-excavating sponges to kill the coral. The method of measurement used involved bicycle spikes. 

13:08 – When looking for jobs after finishing her Master’s, Andia discovered that all of the jobs that sounded really cool to her required a PhD. 

16:42 – Andia started her PhD at a university in Canada, but soon realized that that situation wasn’t the right fit for her. She explains how she made the difficult decision to switch programs. “I got to a point where I was like, if I stay here, I’m never going to become who I should become.” 

24:58 – Andia goes into the four different aspects of her PhD studies. She found that the currents played a huge role in the spread of the larvae. 

32:23 – Among the many aspects of coral and sponges that Andia has researched, one was the impacts hurricanes have had on the coral reef/sponge communities in St. Thomas. 

41:32 – Corals get white plague disease, but can sponges get it too? 

1:01:33 – We know sponges hold a special place in Andia’s heart, but what’s one of her other favorite sea creatures? 

1:02:47 – Andia shares two great sea stories – one from a beautiful day out on the water and another one when things were rather less than ideal.

1:08:51 – What projects would Andia fund? 

1:12:26 – What would Andia like listeners to take away from her episode? 

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