This week, MBARI welcomed experts from a wide range of scientific disciplines to discuss the latest research on ctenophores, also known as comb jellies. The Ctenopalooza Ctwo workshop helped foster new collaborations aimed at advancing an integrative understanding of ctenophore biology.

Last month, MBARI hosted the 2026 EARTH workshop, welcoming 25 educators to our research facilities to learn how ocean science, engineering, and data can provide a foundation for classroom lesson plans.

This summer, MBARI welcomed students and early-career scientists from The Lawrence Hall of Science, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Minorities in Shark Sciences to our research facilities to hear firsthand from our team about career opportunities in ocean exploration.

Internship programs at MBARI and the California Academy of Sciences provide undergraduate students with hands-on research experience. Last month, MBARI hosted the Academy’s research interns to learn about ocean science and engineering careers, then MBARI summer interns visited the Academy’s research facilities and museum to explore opportunities in museum-based research.

This month, researchers from MBARI’s Seafloor Mapping Lab completed a 10-day expedition on the research vessel David Packard to conduct high-resolution mapping surveys with the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts in Monterey Canyon and a deep-sea octopus nursery near Davidson Seamount. The expedition included the 1,500th dive for Doc Ricketts.

MBARI and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have a rich history of collaboration. This month, MBARI welcomed new Monterey Bay Aquarium CEO Jenny Gray to learn more about MBARI’s work and identify opportunities for further collaboration between our two institutions.