In July 2026, members of the Marine Microbiomes Lab joined the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Auckland, New Zealand, bringing our research and perspectives to one of the world’s leading gatherings for coral reef science.

Several members of the M&Ms presented their research and contributed to discussions across the conference, including Ahmed Alsaggaf, Dr. Barbara Ribeiro, Morgan Bennett-Smith, Dr. Erika Santoro, Dr. Yusuf El-Khaled, Dr. Gustavo Duarte, Laura Beenham, Ali Alabyadh, and Giovanna Sabini-Leite. Their contributions spanned topics related to coral–microbe interactions, reef resilience, microbiome research, and innovative approaches to understanding and protecting coral ecosystems.

The symposium was also a particularly special occasion for our PI, Prof. Raquel Peixoto, who was recognized with the International Coral Reef Society Mid-Career Scientist Award 2025, celebrating her contributions to coral reef science and her work advancing our understanding of coral–microbe interactions.

From presenting ongoing research to exchanging ideas with scientists from around the world, ICRS 2026 provided an opportunity for the M&Ms to showcase our work, strengthen scientific connections, and contribute to the global conversation on the future of coral reefs.