Come join Prof. Michael Sweet on the 28th of February and discuss how you can take an idea and commercialise it… but we are not all about money here as we have bigger and grander aims – to save coral reefs! 

Prof. Sweet, now a lecturer and researcher at the University of Derby, UK, initially started working on corals during his PhD in 2011. Since then, he has described a number of diseases plaguing marine organisms, identified potential pathogens, and worked on coral probiotics. Prof. Sweet has developed policy briefs for the United Nations and established charities such as the Olive Ridley Project – which tackles the issues of turtle entanglement in ghost gear. More recently, however, he helped crack ex situ coral spawning and co-founded the Coral Spawning Lab –  a company whose mission is to spawn and grow corals at industry scale, year-round – ensuring we meet the necessary demands for restoration and research purposes. 

As if that wasn't enough, the company also aims to enable and equip every practitioner, reef manager, and restorer with the capabilities to spawn coral ex situ in a controlled and reliable manner. 

Prof. Sweet will highlight in his talk how such a goal was established from the foundations of his team's science and show you what is necessary to establish a successful company but with a philanthropic outlook.

We hope to see you there!

Please note that the seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the number of allowed seats at the Room 5220 is only 30. The seminar will also be simultaneously presented via Zoom.