Robert K. Bonde, PhD, will present a Joy Goodwin Lecture on April 18, at 4 p.m. on “The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation” in 201 VEC.

Bonde is internationally recognized through his research on manatees and other marine mammals for more than 40 years within the Federal Service as a research biologist for the Sirenia Project of the U.S. Geological Survey in Gainesville, Florida.

He is the chair of the Florida Manatee Genetics Research Working Group and is an adjunct professor at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. His work focused on four primary areas:

• Life history monitoring of the manatee population in Crystal River, Florida by supplying management with information that helped establish and regulate the first Federal manatee sanctuary.
• Partnering with the NOAA Fisheries Working Group for Unusual Marine Mammal Mortality Events on issues related to necropsy assessment of stranded marine mammals. This research contributed to the establishment of the first Federal Marine Mammal Preserve off the coast of the southeast United States.
• USGS representative to the USFWS Florida and Puerto Rican Manatee Recovery Teams.
• Lead representative to the USFWS Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release Program by providing guidance on research with the captive manatee population.

Bonde has contributed significantly to the field of aquatic animal research, conservation management, and wild population medicine directly impacting endangered species. In addition to over 95 scientific publications, Dr. Bonde co-authored the book, “The Florida Manatee: Biology and Conservation.”