By Christine Legere

WOODS HOLE — Neurobiologist Bruno Marie never considered clearing out of Puerto Rico in September, even though the expected track of Hurricane Maria put it directly over the island.

On Sept. 20, the 48-year-old scientist, along with his wife and two children, hunkered down in their San Juan condominium, which is constructed of concrete and equipped with fortified windows.

Sitting in one of the Marine Biological Laboratory buildings where he has conducted his research for the past month, Marie recalled those eight hours when the powerful hurricane hovered over Puerto Rico, toppling cell towers, power lines and many buildings.

“I was both scared and impressed,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be so wild.” Read more …

Caption: Bruno Marie, right, and graduate students who came with him from Puerto Rico to MBL after Hurricane Maria: Carolina Maldonado-Diaz, far left, Kevin de Leon Gonzalez and Carihann Dominicci-Cotto. Credit: Ron Schloerb, Cape Cod Times