Public Lectures
The public lecture series features in-person presentations by scientists on their research and programs, free for everyone to attend. For questions, please contact us at msi-edureserve@utlists.utexas.edu or (361) 749-3152.
public lecture series (Port Aransas) 2025
Admission Free and open to the public
Hours of Operation January-March | Thursdays | Lectures at 7pm | Doors open at 6:30pm.
Location 855 E. Cotter Avenue | Port Aransas, TX 78373
A Year in Review – Amos Rehabilitation Keep
Andrew Orgill, ARK Supervisor, shares insights into some of the most fascinating injured animal cases received during the 2024 season.
Jellyfish: Friend, Foe or Food?
Dr. Edward Buskey, Professor and Director at UTMSI, explores the multifaceted role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems, discussing their ecological importance, potential health benefits, and challenges they pose due to increasing populations.
Life in the mud: The ecological importance of marine worms
Dr. Kelly Dorgan, Associate Professor at UTMSI, highlights the vital role of marine worms in seafloor ecosystems. These animals oxygenate sediments, recycle nutrients, and shape sediment stability, supporting coastal habitats and marine food webs.
Carbon storage potential of restored oyster reefs
Kelley Savage, a Ph.D. candidate and NOAA Davidson Fellow, explores the carbon storage potential of restored oyster reefs and how environmental factors impact their role in coastal resilience and restoration strategies.
The role of small consumers for marine ecosystems in a changing world
Dr. Simon J. Brandl, Assistant Professor at UTMSI, explores how small marine consumers, like tiny reef fishes, support coastal ecosystems. Through global reef surveys and studies in Texas estuaries, his research reveals their critical role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem resilience.
Public Lecture Title Coming Soon
Public Lecture description coming soon.
Challenges Facing Whooping Cranes the Rest of this Century
Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, shares his pioneering efforts in crane conservation since 1973. Known for his innovative breeding techniques and international collaborations, Dr. Archibald will discuss how his passion for cranes has inspired global conservation efforts and helped protect these remarkable birds and their habitats.
Geology and History of the Historic Corpus Christi Pass
Randy Bissell and Jim Moloney explore the lost Corpus Christi Pass, once linking Corpus Christi Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Shaped by natural forces and erased by human intervention, the pass played a key role in the Civil War’s “Affair at Padre Island.” Using maps, paintings, and digital analyses, this talk connects the pass’s geological evolution with its historical significance in South Texas.
public lecture series (Rockport) 2025
Admission Free and open to the public
Hours of Operation January-February | Wednesdays | Lectures at 2pm
Location Bay Education Center | 121 Seabreeze Drive | Rockport Texas 78382
Mission Aransas Restoration Efforts
Restoration efforts within Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Nurdle Patrol/Beachcoming
Jace Tunnell, educates the public about the impact of marine debris on water and land in the Gulf of Mexico region and how it affects coastal communities.
Oyster Conservation
Ellis Chapman, Jr., M.S., will discuss a $5.1 million TCEQ-funded project led by HRI to train individuals in sustainable oyster aquaculture, highlighting oysters’ ecological and economic benefits to Texas coastal communities.
Whooping Cranes
Paityn Macko, Outreach Biologist for the International Crane Foundation, shares the incredible story of whooping cranes, cutting-edge research, and how we can all play a role in their conservation.
Carbon Loss in Local Texas Marshes Following a Drastic Mangrove Dieback Event
Kody Barone examines how a major mangrove dieback impacts carbon storage and long-term carbon dynamics in Texas marsh ecosystems.
Characterizing and Monitoring Biofouling Organisms in Local Texas Bays
Tess Kelly explores the diversity, impacts, and management of biofouling organisms in Texas bays, highlighting their ecological and economic significance.
Understanding How High Nutrient Concentrations Affect Seagrass Beds
Sofia Armada-Tapia discusses how nutrient pollution affects seagrass health and highlights the importance of protecting these vital marine habitats.
Using Natural Tags to Track Southern Flounder Movement Through Texas Estuaries
Kimber Montanye discusses using natural tags to track Southern Flounder movements in Texas estuaries, aiding in habitat use and conservation efforts.
Schweppe Public Lecture Series
LAURA RANDALL SCHWEPPE ENDOWED LECTURE SERIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
Through a generous donation in 1998, Dr. Irving Schweppe, Jr. and his daughters, Anne S. Ashmun and Jane V. S. Scott endowed the Laura Randall Schweppe Endowed Lecture Series in Marine Science at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. The series honors the memory of a wife and mother who had a lifelong love of the marine environment, especially around Port Aransas. The lecture series brings accomplished scientists to the Marine Science Institute to interact with its faculty, staff, and students and especially to foster new ideas and research collaborations. In addition, these visiting scientists often give a lecture on a topic of interest to the general public.