Marine Sponges & the Indian River Lagoon

Samantha Pringle, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Florida Institute of Technology

Join us at the Ted Moorhead Lagoon House for September's Lagoon at Noon with Postdoctoral Researcher at the Florida Institute of Technology, Samantha Pringle. Marine sponges provide critical ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, habitat creation, and water filtration. However, since 1950, significant declines in sponge populations have been documented in the tropical estuaries and coral reefs of coastal Florida. My work examined the interactions between native sponges and water quality and clarity in the IRL. While the use of sponges in restoration and ecological engineering projects face many challenges, restoring sponge populations in the IRL has the potential to improve water clarity, lower nutrient levels, and improve both reef and seagrass habitats.

The seminar will end with a live Q&A session. Given the limited seating in the Lagoon House and an increased demand for in-person tickets, there is a $5 in-person attendance fee. Please feel free to bring your own lunch. Coffee and cookies will be provided. Viewing Lagoon at Noon presentations via Zoom remains free. We thank you for your continued support of our Lagoon at Noon Program.

The Zoom link will be in your confirmation email. A recording of the presentation will be posted to MRC's YouTube page for future viewing.

About the Speaker

Samantha Pringle, PhD

Samantha received her bachelor’s in marine science from the University of Delaware before relocating to Melbourne in 2020 to pursue her PhD in Biological Oceanography at Florida Institute of Technology. Her doctoral research focused on the potential use of marine sponges for water filtration and ecosystem restoration projects in the IRL. In addition to her oceanography and marine studies background, Samantha has worked in multiple zoos and environmental education facilities in the northeast, working in public education and programming. She is currently working at Florida Tech as a postdoctoral researcher continuing her work on marine sponges.

September 2026 Lagoon at Noon

Marine sponges and the Indian River Lagoon