Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Bernhard Riegl’s Exceptionally Productive Sabbatical

Document Type

University Bulletin

Publication Date

8-1-2026

Abstract

Dr. Bernhard Riegl of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences returned early from his 2024–25 sabbatical — and with good reason. His leave produced an extraordinary suite of accomplishments that strengthened NSU’s global research footprint while advancing high‑impact scholarship in marine and environmental sciences.

Originally awarded a full-year sabbatical beginning July 1, 2024, Dr. Riegl returned six months early on January 1, 2025, after securing a major Department of Defense research award requiring his leadership and management.

Throughout his sabbatical, Dr. Riegl devoted uninterrupted time to advancing several significant research initiatives, deepening international collaborations, and developing externally funded projects that now shape his ongoing scholarly agenda.

A major portion of his sabbatical was spent at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), where he engaged in collaborative research that led to a co‑authored manuscript now accepted for publication in Scientific Reports. Working closely with NYUAD colleagues enabled him to integrate new regional datasets and cutting‑edge analytical approaches, substantially strengthening their joint research on Gulf marine ecosystems.

Dr. Riegl also conducted extensive fieldwork in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, advancing long-term projects on coral reef and coastal ecosystem resilience. This field research supported both ongoing manuscripts and student advancement at NSU, contributing to a student's MS thesis completion and preparation for a PhD. Read Dr. Riegl's Publication Here: Riegl, B.M., Stratigaki, V., Geldhof, R. et al. Ocean heat determines benthic trajectories on artificial as well as natural submarine substrata. Sci Rep 16, 1454 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31135-6

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