The confirmation of a red tide in the waters off Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties – a rare occurrence on the East Coast – could have implications for the environment, businesses, the tourism industry, the health of beachgoers, and politics.

FIU experts will discuss the implications of the Florida red tide from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the Parkview Hall multi-purpose room on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP here by Monday, Oct. 8

The panel of experts includes:

• Jose M. Eirin-Lopez, assistant professor in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. He is an expert on Florida red tide and harmful algal blooms.
• Thomas Frankovich, research assistant professor in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. He is an expert on water quality and algal communities where freshwater is discharged into Florida’s coastal estuaries.
• Tomás Guilarte, dean, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work. He is an expert on the impact of environmental pollutants on neurological and mental disease.
• Mike Heithaus, dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. A marine scientist, Heithaus will serve as moderator.
• Carolin Lusby, assistant professor in the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. She is an expert on marine tourism in general and potential impact on the tourism industry.
• Kathleen S. Rein, professor in the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. She is an expert on algal toxins including the organism that causes the Florida red tide.
• Brian Van Hook, associate director of Florida SBDC at FIU, is an expert on disaster and business recovery.

For more information related to this expert panel, read the FIU News story.