Dr. Eva Llabrés research on coral growth featured in Quanta Magazine

Quanta Magazine, an editorially independent online publication, has published an article highlighting the innovative work of Dr. Eva Llabrés, postdoctoral researcher at IFISC. The article details her development of a "universal" model of coral growth, using mathematical principles to simulate how coral polyps form diverse structures.

Dr. Llabrés' model, informed by biological observations, uses just five growth variables to predict the five most common coral shapes. This elegant approach has been praised for capturing fundamental principles of coral growth and offering insights into coral's capacity to adapt and thrive.

This research, featured in "A generalized numerical model for clonal growth in scleractinian coral colonies", which appeared in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, has significant implications for coral reef conservation and restoration, particularly in the face of climate change. By understanding the rules governing coral growth, scientists can better predict how coral ecosystems will respond to changing conditions and develop more effective restoration strategies.

Read the full article here: https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-elegant-math-model-that-could-help-rescue-coral-reefs-20250226/ 

Dr. Eva Llabrés. Photo: Lucas Vega Bustamante