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Highlights

 
Sally Palmer is the Communications Coordinator for The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. She received a bachelor of science in marine biology from the University of Rhode Island and earned a masters degree in marine science from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001. Prior to her position handling communications, Sally served as the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Manager. She also has research experience with benthic ecology, hypoxia, and ecosystem dynamics. Since 2006, Sally has help secure over $16 million in funding for administration, research and construction of educational facilities.
Captain Ernst Honored by CBBF

Captain Ernst Honored by CBBF

Last night, Captain Frank Ernst was honored and received the Coastal Steward Professional award at the 2022 Coastal Bend Bays Foundation Conservation and Stewardship Environmental Awards banquet. Frank Ernst has been with the University as the small boat captain for 20...
Advertisement for Two Tenured Faculty Positions

Advertisement for Two Tenured Faculty Positions

Tenured Faculty Position in Chemical Ecology or Toxicology – The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a tenured faculty position in the Department of Marine Science at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor from candidates with research...
Hitching a ride to the deep sea

Hitching a ride to the deep sea

First in-situ measurements of microplastic fluxes help answer the “missing plastic” question 150 million tons of plastic are polluting the ocean today – and because of its slow decay, the amount keeps growing. Current model calculations indicate that only about one...
Mystery No More – formation of refractory DON pool unmasked

Mystery No More – formation of refractory DON pool unmasked

In the oceans lurks a stubborn pool of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) that no one had a clue how it formed – until now. A recent study in the Geophysical Research Letters provides the first discovery of how and why this...
Patton Center is Open!

Patton Center is Open!

The newly renovated Patton Center for Marine Science Education is open to the public starting October 18, 2022. The Center features eight large aquaria and engaging interactive displays, that will provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the...
New Microbiologist Joins UTMSI Faculty

New Microbiologist Joins UTMSI Faculty

As the school year begins, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute welcomes a new Associate Professor, Dr. Mark Lever. Dr. Lever uses highly-sophisticated instruments and techniques to understand the role of microorganisms in the global carbon cycle. His research has...
Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting Returns to Campus

Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting Returns to Campus

UTMSI was happy to host and bring back the 14th annual Texas Bays and Estuaries Meeting (TBEM) to its campus and the newly renovated Patton Center for Marine Science Education. After Hurricane Harvey damaged the visitor center, the meeting was held...
Patton Center for Marine Science Education Ribbon Cutting - Center opening to public this fall

Patton Center for Marine Science Education Ribbon Cutting - Center opening to public this fall

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute hosted a ribbon-cutting event on Saturday, Aug. 14, for the sponsors and donors who supported its newly renovated visitor center, now renamed the Patton Center for Marine Science Education, to commemorate contributions by Bobby...
Hurricane Harvey 5-year anniversary

Hurricane Harvey 5-year anniversary

It's been five years to the day that Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast. While a significant number of repairs to the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) facilities and buildings have been completed, reconstruction from Hurricane Harvey is 85%...
Marine Science Literature for Desalinization & Channel Deepening Projects

Marine Science Literature for Desalinization & Channel Deepening Projects

In July of 2018, the Port of Corpus Christi announced they were seeking a permit for a desalinization plant proposed for construction on Harbor Island in Port Aransas, Texas that would allow an average daily output flow of up to 95,600,000...
Annual 8th Grade Brundrett Research Symposium

Annual 8th Grade Brundrett Research Symposium

Over the course of the academic year, 8th graders from Brundrett Middle School have been completing environmental sampling in Port Aransas, TX. With this data, they have been investigating research questions such as "What local area has the most nutrients; marsh or beach?" or "How does...
Water, water everywhere

Water, water everywhere

As the school year comes to a close we had the pleasure of hosting all of Brundrett Middle School students from Port Aransas in a Water Awareness Day. The event featured eight stations each with a special learning point about the...
Listening In

Listening In

A “Sounds of the Estuary” workshop was hosted by the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute last week on May 12th. The workshop featured presentations on soundscaping and bioacoustics research with a demonstration of field...
Marine Science News

Marine Science News

We're pleased to release the first quarter newsletter for 2022, the 28th issue. Click on the image below to read more about our discoveries, education programs, facility improvements, and upcoming events.    Click here to download a PDF copy.   
Spring is Here and So is the City Nature Challenge 

Spring is Here and So is the City Nature Challenge 

City dwellers have many opportunities to explore their natural surroundings with the annual City Nature Challenge (CNC). The Challenge is a competition to see who can submit the most observations about nature. Local groups are offering several programs on land and...
Ground Breaking Ceremony for Student and Scholar Housing Complex

Ground Breaking Ceremony for Student and Scholar Housing Complex

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute is pleased to announce the start and groundbreaking for our student housing project—the first since 1970. We want to thank Representative Todd Hunter, The University of Texas at Austin and the UT Board of...
Calling all Teachers – Summer Workshops

Calling all Teachers – Summer Workshops

We are offering two great workshops for teachers this summer: FROM LABS TO LEARNING Teachers creating Problem‐Based Learning Units from Ocean Acidification Research Discover and learn about ocean acidification - what it is, how to teach it, and how it will...
Summer Science Registration is Open

Summer Science Registration is Open

UT Summer Science is an exciting, inquiry-based learning experience for youth entering 3rd through 8th grade. Throughout the week, participants will be immersed in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) engagements that take them outside of the classroom and...
Study reveals trade-offs between ecosystem resistance and resilience to tropical cyclones

Study reveals trade-offs between ecosystem resistance and resilience to tropical cyclones

Findings can help managers enhance coastal recovery and restoration efforts PORT ARANSAS – In a new study of the ecological impacts of hurricanes, an international research team, including four researchers from the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, addresses a question that...
Vitamin Sea: Why Coral Reef Fish Eat Poop

Vitamin Sea: Why Coral Reef Fish Eat Poop

Did you know that Caribbean parrotfishes and surgeonfishes eat poop? A study released this week in Coral Reefs is the first to document and explain what may be driving this behavior. These abundant fishes are best known for the important role...