About us
SECORE International is a leading conservation organization for the protection and restoration of coral reefs.
We need a holistic approach to save our coral reefs. SECORE is a global network of scientists, public aquarium professionals and local stakeholders. We use a multidisciplinary strategy combining research, education, outreach and active reef restoration for the conservation of coral reefs.
Our experts develop innovative strategies to restore populations of endangered coral species and rehabilitate ecological and economic services of coral reefs around the world.
The idea of SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) was born in 2002 with the innovative coral breeding research of Dr. Dirk Petersen at the Rotterdam Zoo. Two years later, Mike Brittsan, M.Sc., Director of Aquatic Sciences at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (USA) joined to establish SECORE in the USA.
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).
Current job openings
-
We have no vacant positions at the moment.
Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Dirk Petersen
Administration
Kara Rising, Administrative Manager
Kathy Shank, Advisor
Development
Susan Gerrish, Development Director
Public Relations
Dr. Carin Jantzen, PR Officer (on maternity/parental leave)
Sina Löschke, M.Sc., Associate PR Officer
For press inquiries, please contact s.loeschke@secore.org
Projects and Workshops
Aric Bickel, M.A., Project and Workshop Manager
Research & Restoration
Dr. Margaret Miller, Research Director
Dr. Valerie Chamberland, Research Scientist Curacao
Kelly Latijnhouwers, M.Sc., Restoration Technician Curacao
Board of Directors
Mike Brittsan, M.Sc. – chairman – Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, USA
Bart Shepherd, M.Sc. - vice chairman - Steinhart Aquarium, Cal. Academy of Sciences, USA
Dr. Richard Shank – treasurer and secretary - Consultant, USA
Clyde Woodburn – Clyde and Connie Woodburn Foundation, USA
Suzanne Green – The Green Foundation, USA
Christoph Haacke, MSc. - BioDivers, Germany
Dr. James Guest – Newcastle University, U.K.
Dr. Deni Porej – WWF Mediterranean Program, Italy
Michelle Galligan – ViaVero, USA
Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Margaret Miller, SECORE International, Chair
Dr. Anastazia Banaszak – National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico
Dr. Alasdair Edwards – Newcastle University, UK
Dr. Iliana Baums – Penn State University, USA
Dr. James Guest – Newcastle University, UK
Dr. Laurie Raymundo – University of Guam, USA
Dr. Mark Vermeij – CARMABI Foundation / University of Amsterdam, Curacao
Zoo and Aquarium Advisory Board
Aric Bickel, SECORE International, Chair
Richard Ross – Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, USA
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, Underwater World Guam
Claartje Visser – consulting, CLAARTJEVISSER.NL
Legal advice
Peter A. Precario – Attorney at Law, Columbus, USA
Dr. Alexander Bulach – Attorney at Law, Munich, Germany
Main supporters
Main partners
References
In the media
2018 - TV documentary: SECORE's work featured on VICE News (HBO)
Successful Coral Sowing Reef Regeneration Trial in Curaçao
2018 - DIVE magazine (UK): Feature about SECORE's work in Curaçao,
As Corals Wither Around The World, Scientists Try IVF
2017 - National Public Radio: Feature about SECORE's coral restoration work in Guam
Scientific publications
2018 - Impacts of fragment genotype, habitat, and size on outplanted elkhorn coral success under thermal stress
Mark C. Ladd, Margaret W. Miller, John H. Hunt, William C. Sharp Deron E. Burkepile (2018): Harnessing ecological processes to facilitate coral restoration, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1792
2018 - Coral reef restoration can build on lessons learned from restoring other ecosystems
Valérie F Chamberland, Dirk Petersen, James R Guest, Udo Petersen, Mike Brittsan, Mark JA Vermeij: New Seeding Approach Reduces Costs and Time to Outplant Sexually Propagated Corals for Reef Restoration. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17555-z
2017 - New Seeding Approach Reduces Costs and Time to Outplant Sexually Propagated Corals for Reef Restoration (open access)
Save your future - protect coral reefs
Mail to info@secore.org or fill out the form
SECORE International, Inc.
4673 Northwest Parkway Hilliard
Ohio, 43026
USA
phone: +1 - 614 - 969 - 3150
e-mail: info@secore.org