Prior to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' press conference, Ph.D. candidate Casandra Newkirk of the Whitney Laboratory Martindale lab and other UF student researchers participated in a roundtable discussion with Governor DeSantis and UF President Kent Fuchs to discuss red tide, issues facing coral reefs and the creation of a new state blue-green algae task force. As part of the roundtable discussion, Casandra Newkirk gave a brief talk about her research at the Whitney Laboratory and how it impacts coral reefs.
Governor DeSantis spoke at the University of Florida Steinmetz Hall Courtyard atrium on April 16 where he and other state officials gave a press conference about environmental initiatives and priorities for the state of Florida.