Award: OCE-2126524

Dr. Diana P. Lpez led the project titled "Mechanisms of Coral Resistance to Climate Change-Driven Stressors in the Tropical Eastern Pacific" as a postdoctoral scholar, funded by the NSF-Ocean Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her research program was developed in the Pacific Ocean of Panama, with research questions inspired by the unparalleled resilience of coral reefs in the region. In the Gulf of Panama, ocean dynamics undergo rapid changes during upwelling months (approximately January through March), resulting in temperature drops, increased salinity, and the surfacing of nutrients from the deep ocean. This significant variation in environmental conditions is believed to contribute to the thriving and acclimation of corals to stressors related to climate change. The overarching objective of the project is to identify the underlying mechanisms that enable corals to thrive in an ever-changing environment amidst the ongoing threat of climate change. Dr. Lpez's research employed field sampling and laboratory experiments to investigate how the two most common coral species in Pacific Panama, Pocillopora grandis and Pocillopora cf. verrucosa, cope with environmental variation and extreme temperatures. Additionally, the study aimed to understand how these corals utilize light energy over short timescales (a few hours). Preliminary findings suggest that extremely high temperatures reduce the ability of both Pocillopora species to photosynthesize. Furthermore, when combined with low salinity stress, this ability is further diminished. However, the extent of photosynthetic change depends on the population of origin, with indications that corals from the Gulf of Panama are less susceptible. These research results are of interest to both the scientific community and the general public. Dr. Lpez and her students have presented their findings at various symposiums in the U.S., Panama, and Colombia. The outcomes of the project hold societal value, as the protection of coral reefs depends on our understanding of the consequences of anthropogenic-driven climate change. The entire project took place in Panama, and Dr. Lpez established a robust collaborative network with scientists from multiple institutions in the U.S. and Panama. This international research collaboration facilitates knowledge exchange, access to funding, and meaningful mentoring opportunities for young researchers from diverse academic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds. Dr. Lpez is committed to providing mentorship and research opportunities to students, particularly those with unconventional paths. This research aims to strengthen connections between developing and developed nations, enhancing cooperative research impact and training prospects for students from historically underrepresented communities in science. Last Modified: 01/27/2024 Submitted by: DianaPLopez