About us
SECORE International, Inc. is a leading conservation organization for the restoration of coral reefs. With sound science as the basis of our work, findings and developed methods are translated by engineers into innovative techniques and tools to implement reef restoration at much larger scales than currently possible―which is urgently needed, regarding the dire situation of coral reefs worldwide.
We have established a global network of scientists, public aquarium professionals as well as local authorities, partners and stakeholders. We share our knowledge in training events and workshops, and mentor our partners for implementing new techniques on-site.
Our focus is to work with breeding corals, enabling us to get huge numbers of coral babies by collecting coral germ cells during natural spawning events on the reef, while supporting the corals' genetic diversity and consequently promoting reef resilience at the same time. We develop tools to raise corals without the need for sophisticated land-based facilities and to bring them back to the wild in more efficient ways. We are dedicated to giving coral reefs a fighting chance for the future!
Our Mission: creating and sharing the tools and technologies to sustainably restore coral reefs worldwide.
Our Vision: a world where thriving coral reefs support healthy oceans for future generations.
SECORE International is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The corporation is based in Ohio (USA).
For media inquiries please contact:
Dr. Carin Jantzen, c.jantzen@secore.org and Lucas Ney, l.ney@secore.org
Current job openings
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see our vacancies at OUR WORK - Job Opportunities with SECORE
Like a coral reef, we believe SECORE thrives with diversity
SECORE strongly believes that a community of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities and cultures best prepares us to achieve our research, conservation, and restoration goals. Our strategy for implementing large scale coral restoration depends on working and partnering in many nations and across cultures. We appreciate that every person brings a unique viewpoint and experience to advance our mission, and we seek for our staff and boards to increasingly represent and encompass the diverse cultures, backgrounds, orientations, and perspectives of the communities in which we work and live. SECORE maintains that inclusion requires an ongoing commitment, one we enthusiastically make to build an organization that actively supports diversity across all lines of difference including age, economic circumstance, ethnicity, sex, race, range of ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression.
Staff
Dr. Dirk Petersen, Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Margaret Miller, Research Director
Aric Bickel, M.A., Director of Technology and Implementation
Maria F. Mendoza, B.Sc., Operations Director
Dr. Carin Jantzen, Communications Director
Dr. Valérie Chamberland, Research Scientist, Curaçao
Lucas Ney, M.Sc., Communications and Outreach Specialist
Miles Louis McGonigle, B.Sc., Project Engineer, Miami
Mary Kate Cullen, B.Sc., Administration Manager
Kelly Latijnhouwers, M.Sc., Caribbean Restoration Coordinator, Curaçao
Sandra Mendoza Quiroz, M.Sc., Mexico Restoration Coordinator, Mexico
Eduardo Antonio Avila Pech, B.Sc., Roving Restoration Technician
Tania Doblado Speck, B.A., Caribbean Training Coordinator, Mexico
Raúl Tecalco Rentería, B.Sc., Restoration Technician
Development and Major gifts
Lori Hunter Overmyer, MBA, CFRE, Development Executive, Goettler Associates
l.overmyer@secore.org
Board of Directors
Michelle Galligan, Chair, Keep Financials, USA
Dr. Jené Kapela, Vice Chair, Kapela Leadership Solutions, USA
Dr. Richard Shank, Secretary, The Shank Family Foundation, USA
Brian Dudley, Treasurer, Aquatic Adventures, USA
Bart Shepherd, M.Sc., Steinhart Aquarium, Cal. Academy of Sciences, USA
Laura Byrne, Esq., Byrne and Byrne, USA
Suzanne Green, The Green Foundation, USA
Stephanie Stone, Science Journalist, USA
Fernando Bretos, The Ocean Foundation, USA
Dr. Craig Dahlgren, Perry Institute for Marine Science, USA
Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Margaret Miller, SECORE International, Chair
Prof. Andrew Baker, University of Miami, USA
Dr. Elvira Alvarado Chacon, Universidad de Bogota Jorge Tadeo Lozan, Colombia
Prof. Iliana Baums – Penn State University, USA
Dr. James Guest – Newcastle University, UK
Dr. Rebecca Albright - California Academy of Sciences, USA
Prof. Peter Harrison - Director, Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Australia
Dr. Valerie Paul, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, USA
Zoo and Aquarium Advisory Board
Aric Bickel, SECORE International, Chair
Mark Schick – Shedd Aquarium, USA
Mitch Carl – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, USA
Media and Communications
Paul Selvaggio – photography, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Vanessa Cara-Kerr - videography and production, Reef Patrol
Nele Schütz - graphic design, Nele Schütz Design
Mike McCue - videography, Marine Science Center Florida
Suchana Patel - marketing advisor
Claartje Visser – consulting, CLAARTJEVISSER.NL
Legal Counsel
Peter A. Precario, J.D. – Policy Advisor, Columbus, USA
Alexander Bulach, J.D. – Attorney at Law, Munich, Germany
Lead partners
References
In the media
2020/1 Growing Coral, ECO Magazine
Future Oceans - Women working to save coral reefs in Mexico
2019/2 - Feature about Dr. Anastazia Banaszak, lead of our joint restoration project in Mexico, Lenny Letter
Collapsing coral reefs — can we rebuild them? together with Terry Hughes (James Cook University, Australia)
2019/1 - Interview with Research Director Margaret Miller on Radio CBC - Quirks & Quarks
Scientific publications
2021/9 Six priorities to advance the science and practice of coral reef restoration worldwide
MW Miller, KRW Latijnhouwers, A Bickel, S Mendoza-Quiroz, M Schick, K Burton, AT Banaszak. 2021. Restoration Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13512
2021/8 Settlement yields in large-scale in situ culture of Caribbean coral larvae for restoration
Knowlton N, Grottoli AG, Kleypas J, Obura D, Corcoran E, de Goeij J, Felis T, Harding S, Mayfield A, Miller M, Osuka K, Peixoto R, Randall CJ, Voolstra CR, Wells S, Wild C, Ferse S. 2021. Rebuilding Coral Reefs: A Decadal Grand Challenge. International Coral Reef Society and Future Earth Coasts, 56 pp. https://doi.org/10.53642/NRKY9386
2021/7 Rebuilding Coral Reefs: A Decadal Grand Challenge
Save our future - protect coral reefs
Mail to info@secore.org or fill out the form
4673 Northwest Parkway Hilliard
Ohio, 43026
USA
phone: +1 - 614 - 969 - 3150