# Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research

> **NIH NIH P01** · FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $458,788

## Abstract

Of all the poisoning syndromes associated with harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, ciguatera poisoning (CP) is
the most prevalent globally and is estimated to afflict tens of thousands of people each year, with many cases
unreported. CP is primarily caused by the consumption of reef fish (and some invertebrates) contaminated with
toxins that originate from species of the (sub)tropical benthic/epiphytic dinoflagellate genera Gambierdiscus and
Fukuyoa (hereafter referred to together as Gambierdiscus). CP is predicted to increase in geographic range and
frequency in the Greater Caribbean region (GCR) and elsewhere in response to climate change. We established
the Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research (GCCCR) through the Centers of Oceans and Human
Health (COHH3) program to study the anticipated intensification of CP in the GCR due to warming sea surface
temperatures and reef degradation associated with climate change. The major goals of GCCCR in COHH3 are
to: 1) examine the role climate change may play in the geographic and temporal expansion of ciguatera poisoning
(CP) into more temperate latitudes (Research Project 1); 2) obtain a better understanding of the toxic metabolites
produced by certain Gambierdiscus strains, and the subsequent transfer and biotransformation of these
compounds into coastal/reef food webs (Research Project 2); 3) study the genotoxicity and impacts on cellular
metabolism caused by these toxins upon exposure (Research Project 3), in order to 4) better protect and treat
people from this malady by translating the above scientific findings into risk-based outputs for engagement and
education activities for the community in the Greater Caribbean Region (Community Engagement Core). While
the GCCCR has been productive to date, Hurricane Ian severely hindered progress, particularly in Florida and
specifically at FGCU. Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida (near FGCU) on September 28, 2022.
The 10’+ storm surge caused significant damage to our coasts, including the FGCU Vester Field Station in Bonita
Springs, Florida. This damage has rendered Vester inoperable to date. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, PD
Parsons had to spend considerable time and effort coordinating clean-up and repairs. Additionally, adjusting
our research activities has been challenging (no dock access; damaged boats; inaccessible sampling sites).
While repairs are underway, we have lost considerable time (and resources), hindering our progress and ability
to complete our remaining tasks in the COHH3 project of GCCCR. We have identified specific tasks that were
most impacted by Hurricane Ian and form the basis for our request for a Funded Extension of the GCCCR
project: COHH3 Research Project 1 (Specific Aim 3), Research Project 2 (Specific Aim 1), and the Community
Engagement Core (Specific Aim 3).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10909666
- **Project number:** 3P01ES028949-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Parsons
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $458,788
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10909666

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10909666, Greater Caribbean Center for Ciguatera Research (3P01ES028949-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-10 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10909666. Licensed CC0.

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