USM Ocean Explorers Program Showcases Summer Research

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 04:56pm | By: Gabriela Shinskie

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) prepares students to reach their full potential and navigate the rich world of blue economy research in the Ocean Explorers Program. The flagship program invites students to participate in ocean exploration and leadership and then present their research at the Fourth Annual 2024 Ocean Explorer Research Symposium.

Southern Miss is one of five funded NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) member institutions. One of USM’s projects, led by the Marine Education Center (MEC) in Ocean Springs, Miss., welcomes Tuskegee University and Jackson State University students to dive deeper into ocean science opportunities throughout the academic year and participate in a 10-week paid summer internship. Dr. Jessie Kastler, director of the MEC, understands the importance of the academic partnerships and valuable experiences offered to the interns.

“Our scientists across the coast in south Mississippi have been stand-out in mentoring these students,” said Kastler. “The mentoring model is successful in other programs, and we are looking for ways to expand it further.”

The interns from Tuskegee University include Alanna Stokes, Alicia Armstead, Jamia Eaves, Zoë Brown, Leah Saunders, Olivia Harper, Tau Kennebrew, and David Parker. Jackson State University interns include Destyn Brooks and Nikko Robinson. The symposium began with a powerful testimony of resilience and determination from Betina Brockamp, USM marine science graduate student. Throughout her time at Southern Miss, Brockamp found her passion through physical oceanography, particularly on ocean circulation offshore of Mobile Bay, Ala., in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

“I knew I wanted to learn about the Earth,” said Brockcamp. “Knowing options are available to you is so important. This program is vital to marine science, and we all have something to contribute to marine science.”

During the program, each intern collaborated with a Southern Miss professor to focus on a different area of research focusing on coastal wetlands, microplastics, fisheries, and more. Brooks worked with professor Dr. Zachary Darnell and focused on the habitat quality of blue crabs in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

“My mentor, Dr. Zachary Darnell, gave me the path I wanted to take. The people here are my favorite part of my internship,” said Brooks.

Jessica Woodall, USM Internship Coordinator and Marine Educator, expressed her gratitude and dedication to the program. She believes the interns will take the summer’s hands-on experiences toward the future of the blue economy.

“Our 10 interns from Tuskegee University and Jackson State have worked incredibly hard over the course of this program,” said Woodall. “Many of them are not marine science majors, so the work they have been involved in is brand new to them. The goal of this project is to help individuals from underserved communities see themselves as scientists and to encourage them to pursue a career in marine science and ocean exploration. I hope that our interns have had a fun and informative summer conducting research, and they see this as the career path for them.”

The program continues to provide a path for an inclusive blue economy workforce. Learn more about USM’s Ocean Explorer’s Program and the valuable knowledge gained through ocean exploration, data visualization, mapping, and beyond.