Contact Information

Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center

8000 N. Ocean Drive, Dania, FL 33004

slmiller52@pm.me

Positions

Affiliate Faculty, Nova Southeastern University, 2024-

Senior Research Scientist, Nova Southeastern University, 2011-2024

Research Professor, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, 1995-2011

National Undersea Research Center, UNC – Wilmington

Director, 1998-2004

Associate Director/Science Director, 1991-1998

Education

1988    University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ph.D. Botany

1976    Brown University. B.A. Biology

Publications

Swanson DW, SG Smith, TS Viehman, SL Miller, J Stein, R Ruzicka, and JC Samson. 2026. Efficacy of probability surveys for ESA-listed coral species in southern Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2023.0152

Precht WF, DE Simonelli, R Fura. M  Rice, LS Kaufman, and SL Miller. 2025. Clounds in my coffee: The misconceptions of turbid plumes from dredging operations at Port Miami. Proceedings of the 24^th World Dredging Congress, San Diego, CA. https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/3990/submission/76

Miller SL and RT Wilce. 2024. Grazing of free-living Pylaiella littoralis by the amphipod Gammarus tigrinis. Botanica Marina 67(1):11-14

Miller SL and RT Wilce. 2023. Growth dynamics and genetic variation in attached and free-living populations of the filamentous brown seaweed, Pilayella littorialis. bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.31.543056

Ault J, SG Smith, MW Johnson, LJW Grove, JA Bohnsack, GT DiNardo et al. 2022. Length-based risk analysis of management options for the southern Florida USA multispecies coral reef fish fishery. Fisheries Research 249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106210

Ware M, EN Garfield, K Nedimyer, J Levy, L Kaufman, W Precht and RS Winters. 2020. Survivorship and growth in staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) outplanting projects in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. PLoS ONE 15(5): e0231817. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231817

Van Woesik R, K Ripple, SL Miller. 2018. Macroalgae reduces survival of nursery-reared Acropoa corals in the Florida reef tract. Restoration Ecology 26 (3), 563-569. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12590

Chiappone M, P Espitia, LM Rutten, S Miller. 2018. The octocoral fishery in the southeastern US and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Fisheries Review 80(3). doi: 10.7755MFR.80.3.2

Kissling DL, WF Precht, SL Miller, and M Chiappone. 2014. Historical reconstruction of population density of the echinoid Diadema antillarum on Florida Keys shallow bank-barrier reefs. Bulletin of Marine Science.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5343/bms.2013.1022

Miller SL, WF Precht, LM Rutten, M Chiappone. 2013. Florida Keys Population Abundance Estimates for Nine Coral Species Proposed for Listing Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Technical Series Report. Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Technical Series Report, 1(1). Dania Beach, FL. 85 pp.

Miller SL, EA Shinn. and BH Lidz. 2012. Corals are the building blocks of reefs. In: Tropical Connections:  South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 4: Coral Reefs and Hardbottom Habitats: Page 189.

Miller SL, W Precht, and R Smith. 2012. Stony corals exhibit several reproductive strategies. In South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 4: Coral Reefs and Hardbottom Habitats: 195.

Miller SL, EA Shinn, and BH Lidz. 2012. Geologic tools are used to deciper the history of reef formation. In: South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 4: Coral Reefs and Hardbottom Habitats: Page 196.

Miller SL and W Precht. 2012. Is nutrient pollution killing Florida coral reefs?. In South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 4: Coral Reefs and Hardbottom Habitats: Pages 220-221.

Precht WF, LL Precht, and SL Miller. 2012. Reefs of the Past: Key Largo Limestone lacks branching coral species.. In South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 4: Coral Reefs and Hardbottom Habitats: Page 232.

Miller SL and W Precht. 2012. Reefs of the future: A look into a crystal ball. In South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 4: Coral Reefs and Hardbottom Habitats: Pages 233-234.

Miller SL, W Precht and R Smith. 2012. Sound science is required for adaptively managing coral reefs. In South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 8: Human Connections: Pages 429-430.

Miller SL and W Precht. 2012. Coral reef conservation and management must address multiple stressors. In South Florida Marine Environments: An Ecological Synthesis. WL Kruczinski and PJ Fletcher (eds.). Chapter 8: Human Connections: Page 431.

Smith SG, DW Swanson, M Chiappone, SL Miller, and JS Ault. 2011. Probability sampling of stony coral populations in the Florida Keys. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 183(1-4):121-138.

Rutten LM, M Chiappone, DW Swanson, SL Miller. 2009. Stony coral species diversity and cover in the Florida Keys using design-based sampling. Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale: 800-804

Miller SL, M Chiappone, LM Rutten, DW Swanson. 2009. Population status of Acropora corals in the Florida Keys. Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale: 775-779

Keller BD, DF Gleason, E McLeod, CM Woodley, S Airame, BD Causey, AM Friedlander, R Grober-Dunsmore, JE Johnson, SL Miller, and RS Steneck. 2009. Climate change, coral reef ecosystems, and management options for marine protected areas. Environmental Management 44: 1069-1088

Donahue S and twenty-seven others. 2008. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems in the Florida Keys. 2008. pp. 161-187. In: The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: Waddell, J.E. and A.M. Clarke (eds.), NOAA Tech Memorandum NOS NCCOS 73. Silver Spring, MD. 569 pp

Precht WF and SL Miller. 2007. Ecological shifts along the Florida Reef Tract: The past is a key to the future. In Geological approaches to coral reef ecology. Aronson RB (ed), Springer, NY. Chapter 9, pp 237-312

Leichter JJ, A Payton, S Wankel, K Hanson, S Miller and MA Altabet. 2007. Nitrogen and oxygen isotopic signatures of subsurface nitrate seaward of the Florida Keys reef tract. Limnol. Oceanogr. 52(3):1258-1267.

Chipappone M, LM Rutten, SL Miller, and DW Swanson. 2007. Large-scale distributional patterns of the encrusting and excavating sponge Cliona delitrix Pang on Florida Keys coral substrates. In: Custódio MR, Lôbo-Hajdu G, Hajdu E, Muricy G (eds). Porifera research: biodiversity, innovation and sustainability. Série Livros 28. Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro. pp. 255-263

Lindholm J, A Knight, L Kaufman and S Miller. 2006. Site fidelity and movement of the parrotfishes Scarus coeruleus and Scarus taeniopterus at Conch Reef (northern Florida Keys). Caribbean Journal of science 42: 138-144

Chiappone M, H Dienes, DW Swanson, and SL Miller. 2005. Impacts of lost fishing gear on coral reef sessile invertebrates in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Biological Conservation 121:221-230

Precht WF, RB Aronson, SL Miller, BD Keller and B Causey. 2005. The folly of coral reef restoration programs following natural disturbances in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Restoration Ecology. 23:24-28

Precht WF, SL Miller, RB Aronson, JF Bruno, and L Kaufman. 2005. Reassessing U.S. coral reefs. Science 308:1741.

Lindholm J, S Fangman, L Kaufman and S Miller. 2005. In situ tagging and tracking of coral reef fishes from the Aquarius Undersea Laboratory. Marine Technology Society Journal 39: 68-73

Miller SL, WF Precht, and M Chiappone. 2004. Recognizing complexity in biological systems: Making coral reef ecology simple? A Florida case history. Current: Journal of Marine Education. 20(1):4-11

Miller SL and C Cooper. 2004. NOAA’s Undersea Laboratory Aquarius: America’s “Inner Space” Station. Current: Journal of Marine Education 20(1):12-17

Smith JE, CM Smith, PS Vroom, KL Beach, and SL Miller. 2004. Nutrient and growth dynamics of Halimeda tuna along a depth gradient in the Florida Keys: possible influence of internal tides on nutrient status and physiology? Limnology and Oceanography. 49(6):1923-1936

Chiappone M, DW Swanson, SL Miller, and H Dienes. 2004. Spatial distribution of lost fishing gear on fished and protected offshore reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Caribbean Journal of Science 40: 312-326

Chiappone M, H Dienes, DW Swanson, and SL Miller. 2003. Density and gorgonian host-occupation patterns by flamingo tongue snails (Cyphoma gibbosum) in the Florida Keys. Caribbean Journal of Science 39(1):116-127

Franklin EC, JS Ault, SG Smith, J Luo, GA Meester, GA Diaz, M Chiappone, DW Swanson, SL Miller, and JA Bohnsack. 2003. Benthic Habitat Mapping in the Tortugas Region, FL. Special Issue on Marine and Coastal GIS. Marine Geodesy Vol (1-2):19-34

Leichter JJ, HL Stewart and SL Miller. 2003. Episodic nutrient transport to Florida coral reefs. Limnol and Oceanogr. 48(4):1394-1407

Ault JS, SG Smith, GA Meester, J Luo, JA Bohnsack, and S. Miller. 2002. Baseline Multispecies Coral Reef Fish Stock Assessment for Dry Tortugas. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-487. 117 pp.

Ault, J.S., S.G. Smith, G.A. Meester, J. Luo, E.C. Franklin, J.A. Bohnsack, D.E. Harper, D.B. McClellan, S.L. Miller, D.W. Swanson, and M. Chiappone. 2002. Tortugas surveyed: Synoptic habitat and reef fish surveys support establishment of marine reserves in the Dry Tortugas, Florida, USA. Reef Encounter 31: 22-23

Miller SL, DW Swanson, and M Chiappone. 2002. Multiple spatial scale assessment of coral reef and hard-bottom community structure in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Proceedings of the 9^th International Coral Reef Symposium. Volume 1:69-74

Chiappone M, DW. Swanson, and SL Miller. 2002. Density, spatial distribution and size structure of sea urchins in coral reef and hard-bottom habitats of the Florida Keys. Marine Ecology Progress Series 235: 117-126

Chiappone M, DW Swanson, SL Miller, and SG Smith. 2002. Large-scale surveys on the Florida Reef Tract indicate poor recovery of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum. Coral Reefs 21:155-159

Chiappone M, A White, DW Swanson, and SL Miller. 2002. Occurrence and biological impacts of fishing gear and other marine debris in the Florida Keys. Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol. 44:597-604

Miller SL, M Chiappone, DW Swanson, JS Ault, SG Smith, GA Meester, J Luo, EC Franklin, JA Bohnsack, DE Harper, DB McClellan. 2001. An extensive deep reef terrace on the Tortugas Bank, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Coral Reefs 20: 299-300

Chiappone M, SL Miller, and DW Swanson. 2001. Condylactis gigantea – A giant comes under pressure from the aquarium trade in Florida. Reef Encounter 30:29-31

Chiappone M, SL Miller, DW Swanson, JS Ault, SG Smith. 2001. Comparatively high densities of the long-spined sea urchin in the Dry Tortugas, Florida. Coral Reefs 20: 137-138

Leichter JJ and SL Miller. 1999. Predicting high frequency upwelling: Spatial and temporal patterns of temperature anomalies on a Florida coral reef. Continental Shelf Research 19:911-928

Miller MW, ME Hay, SL Miller, D Malone, EE Sotka, and AM Szmant. 1999. A new method for manipulating nutrients on coral reefs: Effects of nutrients vs. herbivores on reef algae. Limnology and Oceanography 44(8): 1847-1861. (Featured article in December, 1999, on L&O web site)

Hughes T, AM Szmant, R Steneck, RC Carpenter, and SL Miller. 1999. Algal blooms on coral reefs: What are the causes? Limnol. and Oceanogr. 4(6):1583-1586

Richardson LL, WM Goldburg, KG Kuda, RB Aronson, GW Smith, KB Richie, JC Halas, JS Feingold, and SL Miller. 1998. Florida’s mystery coral-killer identified. Nature. Vol. 392(6676):557-558

Miller SL and MP Crosby. 1998. The extent and condition of U.S. coral reefs.  In: NOAA’s State of the Coast Report (peer reviewed).  NOAA.  Silver Spring, MD.  pp 1-34.  http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/websites/retiredsites/sotc_pdf/CRF.PDF

Leichter JJ, SR Wing, SL Miller, and MW Denny. 1996. Pulsed delivery of subthermocline water to Conch Reef, Florida Keys, by internal tidal bores. Limnol. Oceanogr. Vol. 41(7):1490-1501

Miller SL 1996. How an underwater habitat benefits marine science. Scientific American. October:92-93

Miller SL 1996. Carolina, the Keys, and coral reef research. Geotimes Vol. 41(4):24-27

Paul JH, JB Rose, J Brown. E Shinn, S Miller, and S Farrah. 1995. Viral tracer studies indicate contamination of marine waters by sewage disposal practices in Key Largo, Florida. Applied and Env. Microbiology, Vol. 61, No. 6: 2230-2234

Miller S, GB McFall and AW Hulbert. 1993. Guidelines and recommendations for coral reef restoration in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Report. National Undersea Research Center at UNCW. 38 pp.

Vadas R., WA Wright and SL Miller. 1990. Recruitment of Ascophyllum nodosum: wave action as a source of mortality.  Mar. Ecol. Prog. Series. Vol 61:263-27

Miller SL 2008. Ecotypic variation and nutrient dynamics in Pilayella littoralis. Thesis (Ph.D.). University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 182 pp

Pregnal MA and SL Miller. 1988. Flux of ammonium from surf-zone and nearshore sediments of Nahant Bay, Massachusetts, USA in relation to free-living Pilayella littoralis. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Series. Vol 521: 161-167

Shulman MJ, JC Ogden, JP Ebersole,, WN McFarland, SL Miller,. and NG Wolf. 1983. Priority Effects in the Recruitment of Juvenile Coral Reef Fishes. Ecology, 64: 1508-1513. https://doi.org/10.2307/1937505

Vadas RL, SL Miller, CM Bolis and W Wright. 1982. Population dynamics of Acophyllum nodosum: factors influencing recruitment and germlings. 1^st Phycological Congress. Memorial University, St Johns Newfoundland. 51.

Ogden JC, S Tighe and S Miller. 1980. Grazing of seagrasses by large herbivores in the Caribbean. American Zoologist 10)4):949

Professional

Board member of the Coral Restoration Foundation 2012 – 2022

Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 1997

Officer (Recording Secretary) of the International Society for Reef Studies 1995-2000

Board member of the Ocean Conservancy 2002-2005

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Technical Advisory Committee 1992-2004

Science Communication Projects

Founding member of the Shifting Baselines Ocean Media Campaign, 2003 – Present. Products include: Short Films and Public Service Announcements (shiftingbaselines.org).

Executive Producer of 2006 Feature Documentary Film – Flock of Dodos: The Evolution – Intelligent Design Circus (www.flockofdodosthemovie.com, Tribeca Film Festival Premier, ShowTime Cable TV, Selected a Top Ten Science Movie of the 2000s by Smithsonian.com)

DeathToLionfish Media Campaign, 2010 – Present. Products include a Public Service Announcement, website, and Facebook page

Reviewer

Bulletin of Marine Science, Coral Reefs, Ecology, International Coral Reef Symposium, Limnology and Oceanography, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Marine Pollution Bulletin, NOAA Undersea Research Program, NOAA Coastal Ocean Program, NOAA Seagrant.

Graduate Students

Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center.

Mark Chiappone. No-take marine reserves for fisheries and ecosystem management.

Matt Ware. Assessment of Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral) transplants in the Florida Keys.

UNC Wilmington, Nova SU Oceanographic Center, Florida International University)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington. 1. Katherine Laing, Growth of Halimeda nearshore and offshore in the upper Florida Keys (Awarded 1999).  2.  J. Brooke Landry, Decadal scale changes in the abundance and distribution of macroalgae in Florida Bay (Awarded 2005).

Florida International University. 1. Katherine Davis, Ammonium uptake rates and diel fluxes of representative Caribbean reef coral and algae (Awarded 1997). 2. Braxton Davis, Competitive interactions among seagrasses and algae (Awarded 1998). 3. Leanne Rutten Miller, An assessment of changes in nearshore benthic habitats of the Florida Keys (Awarded 2002).

Scuba Diving Experience

Certified 1976 (NASDS). Research diving for Dr. John Ogden at West Indies Laboratory 1977-78 and for Dr. Caroline Rogers at Department of Natural Resources 1979, both located in St. Croix, USVI.  Graduate work involved research diving in northeast US studying seaweeds, including two trips to Greenland (dry suit diving). Saturation diving missions in Hydrolab (1) and Aquarius (3).  Started and ran the NOAA and UNCW Aquarius saturation diving program in the Florida Keys.  Air and nitrox diving in the Florida Keys related to resource assessment and monitoring at hundreds of sites from Miami to the Dry Tortugas.