Nova Southeastern's opens coral reef research center

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  Nova Southeastern opened a $50 million facility that is the nation's largest coral research facility, called the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center. The spectacular building overlooking Port Everglades is located at the north end of John Lloyd State Park. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Eric Burdett, a student at Nova Southeastern's new coral research facility, analyzies BP oil spill shrimp samples. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Abigail Renegar, research assistant, inspects tiny Staghorn coral "recruits" under infrared lighting at Nova Southeastern's new coral research facility. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Abigail Renegar, research assistant, examines a juvenile Staghorn coral, pulled from a growth tank at Nova Southeastern's new coral research center. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Nova Southeastern opened a $50 million facility that is the nation's largest coral research facility, called the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center. The spectacular building overlooking Port Everglades, located at the north end of John Lloyd State Park. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Dr. Tamara Frank holds a crab with UV and blue pigments at Nova Southeastern University's new coral research facility. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  BP oil spill samples are being analyzed at Nova Southeastern University's new coral research facility. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Shark tracking patterns are analyzed on a computer at Nova Southeastern University's new coral research facility. WALTER MICHOT / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  PhD candidate Dorothy Ellen Abigail Renegar shows a Staghorn Coral growing tank to former Vice President Al Gore as the university's Dean Richard Dodge, President George anbury and master's candidate Kerri Lyn O'Neil look on at the opening of Nova Southeastern's coral research Center on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. PATRICK FARRELL / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Master's candidate Kerri Lyn O'Neil shows off one of the student-grown Staghorn corals prior to the grand opening ceremony of Nova Southeastern's coral reef research center on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. PATRICK FARRELL / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

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  Former Vice President Al Gore is greeted by dignitaries including University President George Hanbury prior to his speech at the grand opening of Nova Southeastern's coral reef research center on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. PATRICK FARRELL / MIAMI HERALD STAFF