USM Alumna and Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal Tours GCRL

Fri, 03/15/2024 - 11:53am | By: Gabriela Shinskie

Vivian O’Neal, a University of Southern Mississippi (USM) alumna and Miss Mississippi 2023, spent a day in the world of aquaculture and marine research earlier this week while visiting the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs. The Hattiesburg-area native earned a degree in public relations from USM in 2020.

O’Neal started her day at the Marine Ecological Research Lab with USM student Hailee Nigro, where she observed blue crab ecology in the Gulf of Mexico. While there she saw how USM has been creating pathways to aquaculture advancement and research opportunities.

Later, O’Neal visited the Oyster Hatchery on the Cedar Point campus, where she spoke with USM staff and students who are advancing sustainable aquaculture on land and in marine environments. O’Neal later was taken to the Center for Fisheries Research and Development (CFRD) where she toured one of USM’s research vessels, the R/V Tommy Munro.

This trip was O’Neal’s second time touring the research facilities and learning more about the valuable work done along the Mississippi Gulf Coast by her alma mater.

Learn more about USM GCRL, the Marine Education Center and the Center for Fisheries Research and Development.

Photos provided by Jill Eure.