We welcome Dr. Randi Rotjan as a new Research Assistant Professor and Lecturer in Biology and the BU Marine Program. One of her primary research areas focuses on the biology, ecology, and conservation of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which is a California-sized marine protected area (MPA) and the worlds largest and deepest marine UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the equatorial Central Pacific, PIPA is an important natural laboratory for climate change studies. It sits at the origin of intense El Nino-Southern Oscillation events, and has experienced some of the worst thermal stress on coral reefs. Recently, the site gathered large media attention for the surprisingly rapid recovery following the worst coral bleaching event known in human history at a site called “Coral Castles” within PIPA. The story headlined in the NYTimes Science Times and was featured on NPR. Rotjan is the founder and co-chair of the PIPA Scientific Advisory Committee, and is also the Chief Scientist of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area Conservation Trust. Rotjan was recently awarded funds from NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research and her ongoing coral reef research is supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.