Indian River Lagoon lost a champion, protector and educator in FAU Harbor Branch scientist

Ed Killer, Treasure Coast Newspapers

M. Dennis Hanisak, 73, of Vero Beach, a "beloved and renowned member" of the faculty at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, passed away earlier this week.

The cause and date of his death was not released by his family.

In addition to being a research professor, Hanisak was the:

  • Director of the marine ecosystems health program

  • Director of education at FAU Harbor Branch

  • A principal investigator of numerous research projects

"He is remembered as an eminent marine scientist, a devoted teacher and mentor, and a pioneering conservationist for the Indian River Lagoon," FAU Harbor Branch posted on Facebook Friday.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute faculty member Dennis Hanisak, right, teaches Florida Atlantic University students about mangroves earlier this year.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute faculty member Dennis Hanisak, right, teaches Florida Atlantic University students about mangroves earlier this year.

Hanisak joined the research team at Harbor Branch in 1977 and began conducting research on marine plants (seaweed and seagrass) in the lagoon and other parts of Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. He specialized in understanding health and stressors on marine biology and ecology of the lagoon. He authored over 70 scientific publications and co-authored a field guide on plants in the lagoon, the post says.

“This is an overwhelming loss for his family, friends and the institute, and a sad time for us all,” said James M. Sullivan, executive director of FAU Harbor Branch. “As we move forward through this difficult time, we take comfort in knowing that we are able to honor his legacy by continuing the great work he started.”

Hanisak was a devoted educator who helped establish FAU Harbor Branch as a destination for training the next generation of scientists. He was instrumental in developing programs for students of all ages, from grade school through doctorates.

Some peers and former colleagues shared their thoughts about Hanisak with TCPalm:

"Dennis titled a lecture, 'It's not easy being green' about the plants of the Indian River Lagoon, which are so important but so taken for granted. That was even more true for underwater plants (the focus of his research), which are out of sight and out of mind. He was very concerned with restoring seagrass to the lagoon and started a seagrass nursery at HBOI to help further that goal," said Edie Widder, CEO and senior scientist at Ocean Research and Conservation Association in Vero Beach and a former HBOI colleague.

"He was also very committed to mentoring the next generation of marine biologists. To that end, he started the Semester by the Sea program at HBOI and worked hard to make it the best it could be. It was a wonderful program. Dennis’ passing is a great loss," Widder added.

Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute faculty member Dennis Hanisak, right, presents Clark Morgan with an award in January 2024.
Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute faculty member Dennis Hanisak, right, presents Clark Morgan with an award in January 2024.

Hanisak's ease of relating to other people is what made him so effective as a researcher, said Mark Perry, executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart.

"He was a great guy and a great communicator and coordinator," said Perry, who along with Hanisak helped start what is now the annual Indian River Lagoon Symposium in the 1980s. "He was an ecologist who worked on the entire ecology of the whole lagoon system. He knew how to pull people together and get scientists talking about it. It's a sad day and tough loss for everyone who knew him."

A memorial celebration at FAU Harbor Branch is being planned.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Obituary: FAU Harbor Branch scientist Dennis Hanisak died in May

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