By Nastasia Boulos 04-22-2021 Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science alumni across the country are conducting innovative research, influencing policy, and educating the public to save coral reefs. In November 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published the National Status Report for U.S. Coral Reefs, a first-of-its-kind report about the state of all coral reefs in the United States, geared specifically towards the public and policy makers. There were 22 authors. Six, or more than a quarter, were alumni of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. It’s an impressive feat, and a testament to the number and reach of University of Miami alumni who are contributing to coral reef conservation efforts, whether directly or indirectly, across the country. “Rosenstiel alumni all over the place in the coral reef research world,” said Ross Cunning, Ph.D. ’13, a coral research biologist at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. “I find that I have contacts almost everywhere now because based of the connections I made at the University.”