Will changing your sunscreen save coral reefs? What even IS a coral? Where do they grow and what do they eat and why are they so pretty? Is it reefs or reeves? The wonderful and charming coral biologist and cnidariologist Shayle Matsuda takes time out of his busy schedule during a coral spawning event to chat about how magical and beautiful coral can be and why reef health is important. Also: whether or not "Finding Nemo" got coral right, making transitions during grad school, and how to pursue your ambitions while being bravely authentic. He'll quickly become your favorite cnidariologist.

Catch up with Dr. Shayle Matsuda’s work at the Shedd Aquarium’s Center for Conservation and Research

Shayle's blog post about coral spawning

Donations went to paepaeoheeia.org and pointfoundation.org

More episode sources and links

Other episodes you may enjoy: Pride Month: Guests to Know and Love, Oceanology (OCEANS), Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES), FIELD TRIP: A Hawaiian Breadfruit Rev'ULUtion, Climate Fervorology (ECO-ADVOCACY WITHOUT IT BEING A BUMMER, Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Macrophycology (SEAWEED), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS), Echinology (SEA URCHINS & SAND DOLLARS), Medusology (JELLYFISH), Cheloniology (SEA TURTLES), Selachimorphology (SHARKS), Teuthology (SQUIDS), Carcinology (CRABS), Ichthyology (FISHES)

400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

Sponsors of Ologies

Transcripts and bleeped episodes

Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

Editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media, Steven Ray Morris, Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.