Secret Science Club North: Under the Sea with Marine Biologist Fernando Bretos

Dive into Cuba with marine biologist Fernando Bretos, director of the Cuba Marine Research and Conservation Program and curator of ecology at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science in Miami. Bridging the political gulf through scientific diplomacy, Bretos works alongside Cuban scientists, studying the island’s remarkable sea creatures and coral reefs, home to endangered sea turtles, crocodiles, manatees and sharks, Cuba’s underwater environments are ecological wonders—but also fragile and facing new threats.

A Cuban-American based in Miami, Fernando Bretos has spent over half of his life researching the biological links between his two homelands. He is director of the Cuba Marine Research and Conservation Program and curator of ecology at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science in Miami. For over 15 years, he has worked in Cuba on marine biodiversity expeditions, coral reef health assessments and research on green sea turtles. He was recently a featured scientist on the award-winning PBS documentary, “Cuba: The Accidental Eden.”

Before & After: grab a cool beverage, sway to the sounds of salsa and son, and stick around for the post-talk Q&A!