Dr. Nathan Mollica

Nathan is interested in the impacts of climate change on coral reef ecosystems, mechanisms of coral acclimation and adaptation to heat stress, and the translation of the latest coral resilience science to restoration practices. He completed his B.Sc. in Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden Colorado, and his Ph.D. in Oceanography in the MIT-WHOI Joint program in the Cohen lab. His work in the Palumbi lab focuses on developing software tools to aid the transition of heat stress assays and coral restoration planning to aid the science-to-practice transition of the latest lab techniques. He also is interested in uncovering the mechanisms of coral thermal tolerance and recovery via mechanistic modeling of bleaching responses. By understanding the drivers of coral bleaching and recovery, and producing accessible, intuitive tools for managers to incorporate current and future climate, coral thermal tolerance, and restoration logistics, his goal is to give coral reefs and their communities the best possible chance in the 21st century. Outside science, Nathan enjoys hiking, gardening, good food, and speculative fiction.