Research Matters: UOG EPSCoR fuels Guam coral reef restoration, biodiversity breakthroughs

9/12/2025

Robert Lasley, PhD, assistant professor and curator, inspects shell samples donated to the collections of the University of Guam Biorepository.

Students and faculty mentors from the EPSCoR-supported 2024 summer math research program. From left, Leslie Aquino, PhD, Carlo Tapia, Joanna Laguana, Yoonji Seo, Sean McManus, Hyunju Oh, PhD, and Bastian Bentlage, PhD.

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A $20 million cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation has allowed the University of Guam to conduct research to restore Guam’s coral reef ecosystems and establish coral nurseries to replenish corals damaged by rising sea temperatures, sedimentation and pollution.

The funding, known as EPSCoR—the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research—began in 2020.

For Guam, protection of coral reefs is directly tied to the economy and well-being of the island. A 2023 federal government report placed the value of Guam’s coral reef ecosystem at between $63.4 million and $73.6 million annually. Reefs contribute to recreation and tourism, commercial fishing and cultural heritage

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Mangilao, Guam 96913

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The University of Guam is a U.S. Land Grant and Sea Grant Institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. UOG is an equal opportunity provider and employer committed to our island wisdom values of inadahi yan inagofli'e: respect, compassion, and community.

Research Matters: UOG EPSCoR fuels Guam coral reef restoration, biodiversity breakthroughs