Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

On May 19, the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation recently toured several of our coastal campuses, experiencing firsthand the impact of our marine research and education.

Stops included the Gulf Park campus and Marine Research Center, the Roger Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise, the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and the Cedar Point campus—featuring the Marine Education Center and Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center.

We’re grateful for the Foundation’s continued support of Southern Miss coastal programs.

05/27/2026

As part of the American Fisheries Society, graduate students from the Gulf Coast Research volunteered earlier this month at the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament.

Working behind the scenes, these students and many others played a key role in the tournament by counting and measuring lionfish brought in by participants. Their efforts contribute to valuable data collection that supports ongoing research and management of this invasive species in the Gulf.

Opportunities like this highlight the hands-on experience GCRL students gain while making a meaningful impact on marine conservation.

05/26/2026

While the Blue Boat was deployed with sensors to measure surface water quality conditions, a recent field day with Dr. Kim de Mutsert’s lab also included the use of water sampling equipment to collect and analyze samples from different depths in the water column.

A sealed sampling bottle attached to a line is used to collect water from a chosen depth. The bottle is carefully lowered to that exact depth, and a messenger weight is sent down the line to trigger the closure, trapping water from that specific layer without mixing with water above or below it.

Once the sample is brought back to the surface, LaMotte test kits, handheld meters, or laboratory equipment are used to measure key water quality factors such as dissolved oxygen, nutrients, pH, and salinity. These measurements are taken as soon as possible to ensure they accurately reflect the conditions at the sampled depth.

05/22/2026

New at Mississippi Aquarium!

Toxic Beauty: Plastic’s Hidden Cost — an interactive art exhibit created in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering. Open now through Sept. 7, the exhibit transforms thousands of pounds of debris collected from Gulf Coast cleanups into striking works of art that highlight the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and human health.

If you’re on the Coast this summer, this is one worth experiencing in person. It’s a reminder that art can do more than decorate a space — it can challenge the way we think about the world around us. 🌎♻️

Read more: https://ow.ly/nNEx50Z1bvv

05/21/2026

🌊 Student Spotlight 🌊

Mikayla Cauley is a Marine Biology student at the University of Southern Mississippi and the current President of the USM Oyster Club.

After transferring to Southern Miss, Mikayla has gained valuable hands-on experience working in the field with fish and coastal ecosystems. Her experiences have also expanded into oyster aquaculture, where she has developed a deeper understanding of its important role in supporting ecosystem health.

While her primary interest lies in fisheries, exploring oyster aquaculture has broadened her perspective on how sustainable seafood practices and healthy coastal environments go hand in hand.

Her time at Southern Miss has opened the door to a wide range of opportunities—from fieldwork to research—and has helped her build a strong foundation for graduate school. Mikayla is excited to continue growing these experiences as she takes the next steps in her career.
🌱🐟🦪

05/19/2026

🎓 Student Spotlight: Alexandria “Lizzie” Hancock 🌊

We’re proud to recognize Coastal Sciences (COA) M.S. student Alexandria “Lizzie” Hancock for earning an Honorable Mention in the highly competitive NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Out of more than 14,000 applicants nationwide, approximately 2,500 received the fellowship and 1,500 were awarded honorable mention—placing Lizzie among an exceptional group of emerging researchers.

This recognition highlights her dedication to academic excellence and the strength of her research potential. Congratulations, Lizzie, on this outstanding achievement! 👏

05/15/2026

In Memoriam: Jim Franks

Today, we gathered to honor the life of a truly remarkable man, Jim Franks — a beloved research scientist, mentor, and friend.

Jim dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge, with a deep passion for the ocean and the life within it. While he could speak to anyone about science, his most favorite audience were curious grade schoolers — a reflection of how young at heart he truly was. He also reminded us that curiosity in science can be sparked by the least expected moments or even the least expected people — a fish's head is not just for soup, but to measure and learn how old it is.

In a fitting tribute to his life and legacy, Jim’s ashes were spread in the ocean today — the very place that fueled his passion and defined so much of his life’s work.

Fair winds and following seas, Jim. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

05/15/2026

In Memoriam: Jim Franks

Today, we gathered to honor the life of a truly remarkable man, Jim Franks — a beloved research scientist, mentor, and friend.

Jim dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge, with a deep passion for the ocean and the life within it. While he could speak to anyone about science, his most favorite audience were curious grade schoolers — a reflection of how young at heart he truly was. He also reminded us that curiosity in science can be sparked by the least expected moments or even the least expected people — a fish's head is not just for soup, but to measure and learn how old it is.

In a fitting tribute to his life and legacy, Jim’s ashes were spread in the ocean today — the very place that fueled his passion and defined so much of his life’s work.

Fair winds and following seas, Jim. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

05/14/2026

Distinguished Graduate Award

Congratulations to Micayla Cochran on earning the Distinguished Graduate Award!
Micayla recently defended her thesis "Quantifying discard mortality of undersized and ovigerous crabs in the Gulf of Mexico blue crab fishery” and is graduating this week! Micayla has been a student in Dr. Zachary Darnell’s laboratory since January 2024. Her research involved monthly observations of bycatch on commercial crab boats and field experiments examining the fate of discarded crabs under different handling practices. Micayla also serves as the President of the Marine and Estuarine Graduate Student Association.