Research Highlights
Research Interests
I am interested in how the different aspects of climate impact coral reef ecosystems, and what we can do to mitigate those impacts.
Nicole Besemer, M.P.S.
Oceanographer, AOML Coral Program, Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division
305.361.4374
4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, Florida 33149
“The ocean has always been such an important part of my life and being able to support science that helps to protect and conserve something I love makes everyday fulfilling.”
Nicole Besemer is an Oceanographer with the Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystem Division of the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. She received her M.P.S. degree from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in 2017 and her previous research efforts include invasive species management, endangered sea turtle conservation and monitoring impacts of Everglades restoration efforts on Biscayne Bay. Nicole’s role with AOML Coral Program is the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)’s Caribbean Climate Operations Coordinator. Her work focuses on implementation of the climate monitoring component of NCRMP. This includes planning and operation of associated fieldwork as well as data analysis and submission related to how ocean acidification and global warming are affecting coral reef communities in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
2013, B.S. Marine Science and Biology, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
2017, M.P.S. Tropical Ecosystem Management, RSMAS, U. Miami, Virginia Key, FL
- Barkley, H.C., R.M. Weible, A.A. Halperin, C.E. Alagata, T.L. Kindinger, D. Torres-Pulliza, M.S. Lamirand, B.E. Huntington, C.S. Couch, C.G. Amir, N.I. Besemer, J.A. Charendoff, J. Ehrenberg, J.D. Garriques, A.E. Gray, N. Hayes, K.E. Ingeman, L.H. Luers, K.S. McCoy, N.V. Pomeroy, J.N. Smith, B. Vargas-Ángel, E.K. Towle, and J.C. Samson. Carbonate budget assessments in the U.S. Pacific Islands: Report of methods comparison results and summary of standard operating procedures. NOAA Technical Memorandum, NMFS-PIFSC-154, 79 pp., https://doi.org/10.25923/g4hg-7686 2023
Ref. 4404 - Johnston, M.A., M.S. Studivan, I.C. Enochs, A.M.S. Correa, N. Besemer, R.J. Eckert, K. Edwards, R. Hannum, X, Hu, M. Nuttall, K. O’Connell, A.M. Palacio-Castro, G.P. Schmahl, A.B. Sturm, B. Ushijima, and J.D. Voss. Coral disease outbreak at the remote Flower Garden Banks, Gulf of Mexico. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10:1111749, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1111749 2023
Ref. 4223 - Palacio-Castro, A.M., I.C. Enochs, N. Besemer, A. Boyd, M. Jankulak, G. Kolodziej, H.K. Hirsh, A.E. Webb, E.K. Towle, C. Kelble, I. Smith, and D.P. Manzello. Coral reef carbonate chemistry reveals interannual, seasonal, and spatial impacts on ocean acidification off Florida. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 37(12):e2023GB007789, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GB007789 2023
Ref. 4371
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Employee of the Month, February 2023
For successfully orchestrating and overseeing field missions in the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, St. Croix, and Flower Garden Banks following a widespread coral disease outbreak during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring all necessary data were safely and successfully collected in support of NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program.
Hermes Creative Platinum Award for Outstanding TV Placements and Outstanding Overall Publicity Campaign from Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, 2021
In recognition of the media impact of NOAA’s Coral Reef Condition Status Report, with more than 521 million impressions with coverage in 46 states, plus Washington, DC, for the coral reef status report press event.