The 2026 La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science Public Lecture
Join for a public discussion of recent advances in ocean conservation and a chance to interact with current UCLA conservation researchers at the 15th Annual La Kretz Center Public Lecture. The Center is honored to have two Bruin alums, the father/son team Zack and Mark Gold, speak about their work monitoring and protecting California marine ecosystems.
California’s coastal waters are some of the most biodiverse, productive, and valuable on earth. However, they face tremendous stress from a changing climate, habitat loss, pollution, disease, and historical overharvesting. UCLA alumnus Mark Gold has been working across governmental and non-governmental agencies for three decades to protect our marine resources. More recently, Bruin Zack Gold has developed and implemented advanced, cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) tools to monitor conservation actions and inform management.
Please join us for an update and discussion on how eDNA is being used in marine conservation in California–finding the last remaining sunflower sea stars in Northern California, providing cost-effective, early warning indicators of invasive “killer algae”, and unlocking hidden patterns of climate’s impact on our oceans. The Golds will also discuss the current state of California Ocean Health, marine conservation challenges, and solutions for better protecting marine biodiversity off our coast. Afterwards, stay for refreshments and informal discussions with the speakers, current La Kretz Center postdoctoral scientists, and UCLA student researchers to see the work we’re supporting to promote conservation science across California.
Speakers:
- Dr. Zack Gold -Lead Molecular Ecologist w/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.
- Dr. Mark Gold – Director of California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations.
This free event is open to all ages and is sponsored by the UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability.
The La Kretz Center for California Conservation is managed by UCLA and connects a diverse network of UCLA faculty, postdoctoral scientists, and students with a variety of conservation groups who work to protect and restore California’s biodiversity. Visit the Center website to learn more about it and affiliated groups.
Please direct any questions related to the Public Lecture to lakretz@ioes.ucla.edu.