In October of this year, Palauan and international researchers expanded efforts to map marine biodiversity across the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) through cutting-edge environmental DNA, or eDNA, technology aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.
PICRC Chief Researcher Ikelau Otto and researcher Maikani Mereng Andres joined scientists Collin Closek and Jeanine Brantschen from the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University on the expedition, which is part of a continuing research collaboration that began in 2021. Otto led the eDNA project for the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and headed the Palauan research team during the voyage.
