Education

At Capital Coral R&R, we strongly believe that children and young adults hold the key to the future of our planet and its coral reefs. Through research and education, we provide them with unique opportunities to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature. 

Our goal is to inspire their interest in scientific careers while fostering a deep connection with the environment. Join us at Capital Coral R&R as we empower the next generation to create a sustainable and thriving future. Together, we can make a difference.

College internships present an exciting opportunity for young adults to learn and grow while gaining real-world experience within our facility. Here, we believe in combining education with hands-on training, and that's exactly what our student interns get to enjoy. 

They dive into individual research projects that match their availability, exploring restoration applied research, biomedical applications, and the world of drug discovery. It's an adventure that educates, empowers, and leaves a lasting impact.

For more information on internships, please E-mail Dr. Gerdes at Michael@capitalcoral.com 

Our research is aimed at finding innovative solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

We are currently working on several research projects, including  

• Biofouling mitigation with waxes and essential oils  for coral nursery management, out plant assistance, and larval  survival.  Efforts directed at aiding restoration groups in Florida  including the Coral Restoration Foundation  (https://www.coralrestoration.org/) and Mote Marine Labs  (https://mote.org/), and now the Yucatan peninsula with the Cozumel  Coral Reef Restoration (https://www.ccrrp.mx/).
• Coral Disease Diagnostics using advance Mass  Spectrometry approaches to develop diagnostic signatures for coral  disease at a species level.  Current approaches to disease diagnosis  entail photographic reference cards, knowledge of diseases reported in  the area, and the progression of the disease. For progress to be made in  the management of coral disease, the disease must be definitively  differentiated from one another. 
• Coral Drugs are a third avenue of investigation we  are undertaking with collaborators at University at Albany, SUNY with  initial targets of novel antimicrobial agents/antibiotics and  neuromuscular diseases.

• 2018-2019 New England Sailing and Science (NESS)- middle school
• 2018-current Rise High, Schenectady NY
• 2021- current Cub Scouts Pac 211, Albany, NY
• 2021-current University at Albany, SUNY, Dept. of Biology class lab tours.
• 2022- C-STEP program with student from Albany High School through Univ. at Albany.

• University of New Haven– Effects of elevated CO2 on coral growth, Developing an apparatus for electrical current coral growth stimulation.
• Morgan High School– Effects of essential oils applied to coral plugs on algae growth and coral response.
• Coginchauk High School– Comparison of coral growth  on fragments mounted to plugs or grown in suspension on hanging lines.  Coral growth changes from CO2 exposure.
• SUNY Albany Master’s project- Chemical profiling of secreted compounds from healthy and stressed corals.
• Conn. College and Becker College– Evaluate feeding responses of different corals to individual amino acids and coral for implants.
• UCONN Avery Point– Coral testing system optimization and chemical bleaching protocol development.

 Capital Coral R&R is thankful to the many people and organizations that help support our ongoing endeavor to become a premier land-based coral research facility. Special thanks to the Coral Restoration Foundation, NOAA and the CT SEA Grant program, Dr. Rabi Musah, Univ. Albany, SUNY and numerous individuals associated with the local research community.