Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium

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Non-technical DescriptionThe University of Guam (UOG) will establish the Guam Ecosystems Collaboratorium (GEC) to coordinate research in coral and marine ecology. The project will leverage Guam?s unique marine biodiversity to enhance research and education capacity while improving understanding of how coral reefs respond to environmental stress and climate change. The GEC will establish collaborations with leading universities and researchers from around the US and globally to initiate a research and education program at UOG focusing on coral reef ecology and marine biodiversity. The project will provide mechanisms for collaborative visits, exchange of doctoral students, and virtual collaborations. Cyberinfrastructure (CI) enhancements will support a repository for marine biodiversity which will serve as a global resource and establish Guam as a destination for marine ecosystems research.Technical DescriptionThe GEC will use RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to examine genetically based stress responses in organisms found in coral reefs around Guam. A repository for biological samples and genomic and transcriptomic data will be established and connected globally via an upgraded internet connection (500 Mbps). A sensor network will be established in Pago Bay to measure environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, and turbidity for correlating with physiological responses of corals to environmental stressors. Existing expertise in coral reef ecology and marine biology will be enhanced through new faculty hires and collaborations with researchers from other institutions. Agreements with other universities will allow the shared training of doctoral students. Research experiences will be provided for undergraduate students and teachers and the program would support a citizen science project for Pago Bay synergistic with the coral ecology research.