University Programmes

Dr. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley is the Director of Research at CCMI where she leads the Reef Ecology and Evolution Laboratory. Her research focuses on population structure, reproductive ecology, and genetic connectivity of a variety of organisms that inhabit tropical coral reef ecosystems ranging from inshore shallow reefs down to the mesophotic zone, with the goal of understanding how ecosystems function to maintain biodiversity. To address questions related to reef health, evolution, resilience, and recovery, she combines large-scale in situ ecological surveys, small-scale laboratory experiments, and molecular ecology. With funding from the NSF, EU and UK, Dr. Goodbody-Gringley’s research group is actively studying cutting edge topics in coral reef science with collaborators across the globe. In her previous role at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, she was a lead instructor for several field courses including Coral Reef Ecology, Ecology and Evolution of Fishes, and Marine Invertebrate Zoology. She is an avid technical diver, conducting in situresearch to depths of 60m using rebreathers, who strongly believes that teaching solid underwater skills greatly improves the quality of research.

Dr. Tali Mass is a professor at the University of Haifa where she leads research focused on coral physiology, genomics, and biomineralization. She is particularly interested in the impacts of climate change and the potential for corals to acclimate to extreme environmental conditions. Using state-of-the-art techniques her research team examines the most intricate details of coral skeletal formation, gene expression, and physiology from a variety of habitats and depths in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Dr. Mass teaches several undergraduate and graduate level courses at UH, including Scientific Diving & Research Methods, and often incorporates her technical rebreather diving skills into her research.

The course is aimed at both students (enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree courses) and graduates preferably in a related scientific field. If the maximum limit of participants is exceeded, a selection will be performed based on applicants’ experience and interests.

All participants must be certified divers (certification of any level and association e.g.,PADI, SSI, BSAC, NAUI are accepted), with a minimum number of 15 logged dives, of which 6 performed in the 12 months preceding the course. Proof of valid diving insurance (DAN or similar) is required for all divers along with completion of a diving medical evaluation provided with enrollment package.

Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own dive gear including BCD, regulators, computer, mask, fins, exposure suit. Underwater flashlights and cameras are recommended but not required. A limited supply of gear is available to rent from CCMI if this is not possible. Please inform us in advance if you need to rent anything.

Day 1 – (June 27^th):

• Arrival at Little Cayman airport and transfer to CCMI
• Room allocation and CCMI orientation
• Evening ice breaker and course introduction

Day 2 – (June 28^th):

• Lecture 1: Historical Ecology of Caribbean Coral Reefs
• Lecture 2: Coral Species Identification
• Dive 1: Check out dive
• Workshop: Coral Identification

Day 3 – (June 29^th):

• Lecture 3: Symbiosis & Photosynthesis
• Lecture 4: Physiology of Bleaching
• Dive 2: Coral ID practice & Nearshore Coral Collection
• Methods Lecture: Assessing Symbiosis

Day 4 – (June 30^th):

• Lab 1, Part 1: Photophysiology & Symbiont Density
• Lecture 5: Restoration
• Dive 3: Coral Nursery Observation and Collection
• Lab 1, Part 1 (continued): Chlorophyll Analysis

Day 5 – (July 1^st):

• Quiz 1: Coral Identification
• Lecture 6: Physiology of Calcification
• Lecture 7: Impacts of Ocean Acidification
• Lab 1, Part 2: Photophysiology & Symbiont Density (nursery corals)
• Dive 4: Observational Night Dive

Day 6 – (July 2^nd):

• Lecture 8: Coral Disease
• Lecture 9: Physiology of Bleaching
• Methods Lecture: Monitoring Reef State
• Dive 5: Reef Surveys (site 1)
• Lab 1, Part 2 (continued): Chlorophyll Analysis

Day 7 – (July 3^rd):

• Lecture 10: Reproduction and Recruitment
• Dive 6: Reef Surveys (site 2)
• Methods Lecture: Photogrammetry
• Dive 7: Photogrammetry Surveys (site 1)

Day 8 – (July 4^th):

• Dive 8: Photogrammetry Surveys (site 2)
• Lab 4: Photogrammetry Image Analysis
• Workshop: Invasive Lionfish Management

Day 9 – (July 5^th):

• Primary Research Presentation: Dr. Goodbody-Gringley
• Primary Research Presentation: Dr. Mass
• Independent Study

Day 10 – (July 6^th):

• Exam
• Workshop: Data Analysis, Presentations & Paper Writing

Day 11 – (July 7^th):

• Dive 9: Observational Wall Dive
• Dive 10: Lionfish Removal
• Data Analysis and Presentation Preparation

Day 12 – (July 8^th):

• Presentations
• Field Trip: Beach Clean & Snorkel
• Course Closing Bonfire & BBQ

Day 13 – (July 9^th):

• Transfer to Little Cayman Airport for Departures

Travel to the Cayman Islands requires a passport, with at least 6 months validity from your departure date. Several major airlines service Grand Cayman airport daily. Flights from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman are serviced by Cayman Airways, with multiple flights occurring daily. It is advised to allow a minimum of 3 hours between arrival in Grand Cayman and departure to Little Cayman if traveling on different airlines. The plane to Little Cayman is a small twin-otter with limited baggage allowance. Excess baggage exceeding this allowance will be delayed and thus it is advised to minimize the amount of baggage carried by each passenger.

ENVIRONMENT

Temperatures in the Cayman Islands range from 80-90°F (27-32°C) and humidity is high. You are advised to wear light, loose-fitting clothing. Attire in the Cayman Islands is casual. As you will be at the marine lab in the classroom or in the field, it suggested you bring clothes that can get salty and dirty, such as athletic attire. Sun protection, including a hat, sun shirt, and sunblock, are strongly recommended. Mosquitos and sand flies can be a problem. You are encouraged to bring bug repellent and antihistamine or anti-itch cream for bites.

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation is in 4 separate dorm rooms, each with 6 beds, with meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Sheets and bath towels are provided. Each room has air conditioning and fans. There is no accommodation in single rooms, nor in mixed gender rooms. Food is prepared to local customs and generally consists of meat with a starch and vegetable prepared in different ways. Meals are served as a buffet. Special dietary requirements and allergies must be mentioned in the application form. As a small facility and a remote island, strict dietary requirements (i.e. vegan) are difficult to accommodate. If you follow a restricted diet, you are encouraged to bring some of your own snacks to supplement meals.

HEALTH & SAFETY

No vaccinations are currently required to enter the Cayman Islands, including for COVID. CCMI follows a COVID safety protocol that will be included with acceptance materials and must be read before arrival.

CURRENCY

The Cayman Island Dollar (CI$) and the US Dollar are accepted in the Cayman Islands, however local currency is encouraged. 1 CI$ = 1.2 US$. If paying in US dollar, the amount will be converted to local currency and change given in CI dollars. There is an ATM on Little Cayman that dispenses both currencies.

COMMUNICATION

CCMI has free WiFi that can be used for educational purposes during the day and for communication and entertainment in the evenings. As an active research facility with limited bandwidth, online streaming during working hours is prohibited. You can purchase local SIM cards with data at the local convenience store.

To apply please send a CV and letter of interest to courses@reefresearch.org with the subject: “Last name_CoralEco_application”.

A maximum of 18 participants will be accepted. If more than 18 applications are received, selection will be based on the quality of the CV and letter of interest. Do not purchase flights before receiving an official acceptance letter.

Application Deadline is April 1^st, 2023 with acceptance confirmed by April 15^th.

FEE

The total course fee is US $3,750.

Included in the course fee:

• Airport transfer in Little Cayman to CCMI
• Transfer to all field excursions and activities
• Food and lodging at CCMI
• Lectures and activities provided for the course
• SCUBA cylinders and dive weights
• Field and lab supplies used for the course
• Use of CCMI bikes and kayaks

Not Included:

• Return flight to Little Cayman Island
• Passport or visa (if required) costs
• Diving Insurance and medical evaluation costs
• Rental of diving equipment
• Anything else not specified

Full course fees are required by May 29, 2023. Following payment of the fee, reimbursement for any cancellation before June 20^th will be subject to a $750 administration fee. From June 20^th onwards, the fee is non-refundable.