One of the largest philanthropic commitments in WHOI’s history, and the largest dedicated to coral reefs, the five-year, $25 million investment includes more than $22 million in a permanent endowment to sustain long-term scientific leadership and innovation. Additional start-up funds will support the Center’s early programs, research initiatives, and global collaborations, beginning this year. The new Center will bring together expertise from scientists and engineers from across WHOI working in robotics, data science, chemistry, ecology, physics, acoustics, and other areas of coral reef-related science and technology development, including marine policy, and build on decades of leadership in labs, on reefs, and in communities worldwide.
“This gift recognizes the power of interdisciplinary ocean science to transform how we understand, protect, and restore coral reef ecosystems,” said Peter de Menocal, President and Director of WHOI. “The challenges facing reefs are among the defining environmental issues of our time. Meeting them will require bold thinking, breakthrough technologies, and collaboration across scientific fields. The Schiller Center is designed to bring those strengths together, accelerating discoveries and translating them into solutions that benefit reefs and the millions of people whose lives and livelihoods depend on them.”
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth, supporting fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and cultural heritage for hundreds of millions of people. Yet these ecosystems are in crisis. Climate change, pollution, and other human pressures are driving rapid declines in coral health worldwide, with scientists warning that without transformative action, many reefs could be severely degraded or disappear by 2050.
Phil Schiller and Kim Gassett-Schiller have long shared a deep connection to the ocean, shaped by childhood experiences along the New England coast and a lifelong curiosity about the marine world. Phil’s early fascination began with “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau” TV series and a formative visit to WHOI as a teenager, where seeing the human-occupied submersible Alvin inspired a lasting appreciation for marine research. Kim grew up summering near Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, and is a dedicated advocate for ocean stewardship through hands-on volunteer work, environmental education, and everyday conservation efforts. Together, they believe that healthy oceans are essential to the future of the planet and that philanthropy is a powerful way to support the scientists and engineers developing solutions for generations to come.
Schiller is an Apple Fellow and former Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Apple Inc. “This investment reflects both urgency and optimism about the role science can play in addressing the global reef crisis,” said Schiller. “I’ve admired the Institution’s unique ability to bring scientists and engineers together to turn discovery into real-world solutions. The Schiller Center represents exactly the kind of work we believe in, combining world-class science, innovation, and collaboration to address one of the ocean’s most urgent challenges and create lasting impact for future generations.”
“I’ve always felt a connection to the ocean, and healthy coral reefs are essential to the health of our entire planet,” Gassett-Schiller said. “What drew us to WHOI was not only the extraordinary science, but its commitment to sharing knowledge and developing solutions that can make a real difference.”
At the heart of the new Center is WHOI’s interdisciplinary approach to coral science. From real-time reef health tracking to targeted interventions and international conservation planning, the Center will integrate diverse disciplines into a cohesive effort, with a mission to actively develop scalable approaches to diagnosing and treating threatened reef systems.
A cornerstone of this work is a comprehensive Reef Solutions Toolkit, developed by WHOI’s Reef Solutions team. This multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers is applying novel technologies to test and deploy interventions, in partnership with local communities and conservation organizations.
Complementing this approach is pioneering research on Super Reefs—coral ecosystems that naturally withstand ocean warming and acidification. This research feeds into the global Super Reefs Initiative, which partners with conservation groups and island nations to protect and expand networks of heat-resistant coral habitats. The team is also leading the development of Digital Reefs, a four-dimensional “digital twin” technology that uses artificial intelligence and real-time data to simulate reef futures, enabling policymakers and conservation managers to test decisions before implementing them in the real world.
Additionally, WHOI scientists, engineers, and technicians have done foundational work in such critical areas as the health and composition of shallow and deep-water coral species and ecosystems, the impacts of ocean warming and acidification, the spread of larval animals through the ocean, and the diversity and behavior of reef fish and fisheries.
The Schiller Center will be anchored by two endowed scientific leadership positions: a senior scientist chair and center director, who will guide the Center’s research strategy and global partnerships, and an assistant or associate scientist chair and deputy director, supporting an emerging leader in reef science or engineering.
The Center’s Inaugural Director, Amy Apprill, is an Associate Scientist in Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry and has led the Reef Solutions Initiative at WHOI for the past six years, as well as the Microbial Ecology for Ocean Conservation Laboratory at WHOI, and she is an elected Councilor of the International Coral Reef Society. Her research is centered on coral reef microbiology, which includes the use of reef water microorganisms as indicators of ocean and reef health.
“Coral reefs are biodiverse and complex ecosystems, and there is no single solution that will help them thrive,” said Apprill. “I am thrilled that the Center will provide unique opportunities for our interdisciplinary scientists and engineers to pursue solutions-based research and take risks in their approach that are often not possible with government-based research funding. As the inaugural director, I look forward to growing our impact and global research partnerships.”
The gift also establishes several programs designed to accelerate discovery and innovation, including the Schiller Research Engine, supporting high-risk, high-reward ideas in reef science and technology; the Schiller Research Accelerator, enabling new collaborations and strategic research opportunities; and the Schiller Next Generation Fellowships, attracting outstanding early-career scientists to conduct independent reef research at WHOI.
In addition to supporting research and technology development, the gift includes funding for communications and engagement initiatives to broaden the reach of WHOI’s coral reef science. Through storytelling, multimedia content, and digital outreach, the Center will help translate peer-reviewed scientific discoveries into actionable knowledge for policymakers, conservation leaders, and the public.
The Center will begin operations immediately, with new research initiatives, fellowships, communications, and technology deployments launching over the coming year.
“The Schiller Center represents exactly the kind of work we believe in, combining world-class science, innovation, and collaboration to address one of the ocean’s most urgent challenges and create a lasting impact for the future,” said Schiller.
