Greetings!
Thank you all for giving me a warm welcome since I’ve joined GCOOS! I’ve been working to learn all of the intricacies of ocean observing in the Gulf of Mexico — not to mention all of the details that come with the IOOS Regional Association award process!
Certainly, complex systems have been in the news a lot recently with the awarding of the Nobel Prize in physics to Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann, who laid the foundation for our knowledge of the Earth’s climate and how humanity influences it, and Giorgio Parisi, who discovered hidden patterns in disordered complex materials. As a researcher who has modeled climate-change associated coastal hazards like sea-level rise and storm surge impacts, complex systems are near and dear to my heart, and getting to know the Gulf’s complex ocean observing system has been exciting.
If there’s one thing that has been clear to me, it’s that our community is filled with dedicated scientists, researchers, resource managers and educators focused on gathering and sharing crucial information our coastal residents need to adapt and respond to events like hurricanes and other risks and changes.
Everyday, we’re working together to make sense of the increasing amounts of data being collected — and, in many ways, helping to simplify the complex to provide relevant information that supports decision-making processes, and ultimately people’s well-being. You need only to keep reading the highlights below to see what I mean!
Another way to stay abreast of all that’s happening in the Gulf ocean observing community? Join us during our Fall Meeting, which will take place on Oct. 26 via Zoom (details are below). I’m looking forward to “seeing” you all there!
Until next month,
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Join Us Oct. 26 for Our Fall Meeting!
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Meet GCOOS’s new Executive Director Dr. Jorge Brenner, hear updates from IOOS and the IOOS Association and hear about the latest Gulf hurricane glider season during the GCOOS Fall meeting. PLUS: Join in as we celebrate the retirement of Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick! View the updated agenda here.
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Dr. Chuan-Yuan Hsu has been promoted to GCOOS Associate Research Scientist in TAMU's Department of Oceanography from his Postdoctoral Research appointment. He is an ocean modeler currently working on watershed inflows to the Gulf using AI.
We’re sad to announce the departure of Dr. Shinichi Kobara, GCOOS’s GIS Product Developer and Assistant Research Scientist with TAMU's Oceanography Department. Shin has developed many GIS-based online applications and other tools that give a variety of ocean users the ability to discover, analyze and visualize data. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors!
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Webinar: OA in the Northwestern Gulf
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The next webinar in the GCAN series will be “Influences on Acidification in Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Estuaries,” presented by Ph.D. candidate Larissa Dias, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her research focuses on carbonate chemistry of estuarine waters in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and the factors influencing it. Dias is a recipient of the 2020 NOAA Graduate Research Fellowship and works with stakeholders to better understand and model the dynamic nature of alkalinity and ocean acidification in Texas estuaries.
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New GCAN Working Group Chair
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Tim Rumage, planetary ethicist and the Coordinator/Developer of Environmental Studies at Ringling College of Art and Design, has been chosen as GCAN’s first chair of the Community Engagement Working Group.
Rumage teaches courses on environmental science, sustainability, creating ecological cities, applied environmental design, biodiversity and environmental ethics. He is also a Coordinator for Sustainability in Design Education at Cumulus Association. As Stakeholder Chair, he will coordinate with the GCAN Steering Committee, Members, and the Gulf community to create user-friendly materials to improve awareness and knowledge of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico.
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The People Behind the Data
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We were pleased to help recognize two Navarre Beach Marine Science Station high schoolers recently for their commitment to helping others learn about ocean science and for serving as volunteer data collectors for the Red Tide Respiratory Forecast.
Juniors Cassie Stanish and Sailor Reynolds are Santa Rosa County School District students who have been developing lesson plans for other students based on real-life ocean data collected and, more recently, have joined the Red Tide Respiratory Forecast Volunteer Team to help bring the Forecast to the Florida Panhandle.
The girls used water quality data to develop lesson plans for high school students to teach them the role of bacteria in a watershed, said Charlene Mauro, Director of Navarre Beach Marine Science Station and a member of the GCOOS Outreach and Education Council.
Support for the development of the plans — which will be posted on the GCOOS website and shared with educators — was provided through Shell, and GCOOS awarded them each a $1,500 grant for their work. “The girls also developed a water quality survey that more than 1,000 people responded to. They’re passionate about water quality,” Mauro said.
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Tracking a Record Number of Gliders in the Gulf
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We’re excited to report that the GCOOS Glider Dashboard is tracking a record 11 gliders in the Gulf and Atlantic. Most of the gliders are deployed as part of the hurricane picket line, at sea during hurricane season to collect in-situ data within Loop Current eddy features offshore of the Mississippi River and on the continental shelf to provide ocean data ahead of any storms. Tropical cyclone interaction with the Loop Current System has been linked to rapid storm intensification due to high upper ocean heat content — so tracking temperatures at the surface an at depth is crucial for predicting the strength of storms.
GCOOS-TAMU Oceanographer Dr. Kerry Whilden is piloting six gliders in the Gulf; most were deployed at the shelf break offshore of Freeport (about 100 miles off the coast). Once deployed, they fanned out in different directions to head toward their ultimate destinations. The gliders will collect data in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico west of the Loop Current. GCOOS Board Member Dr. Stephan Howden, University of Southern Mississippi, is piloting a seaglider off the West Florida Shelf and Dr. Catherine Edwards, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, is piloting three gliders in the Atlantic.
Mote Marine Laboratory is also piloting a glider near Florida’s west coast as part of its mission to track harmful algal blooms.
Whilden’s research assistant, Brian Buckingham, deployed five gliders during a single offshore mission on Sept. 28. “Definitely a record for us!” Whilden said.
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Gliders as Crucial Ocean Infrastructure
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Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, GCOOS Senior Advisor, and Dr. Larry McKinney, Chair for Gulf of Mexico Strategies for the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, teamed up to share how important having a consistent, reliable fleet of ocean gliders is to human safety and the U.S. economy in the piece “Gliders: Crucial Ocean Infrastructure for the 21st Century and Beyond,” shared with key legislative contacts. “We need a fleet of underwater robots monitoring the Gulf and Atlantic basin at all times,” they maintain.
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Users Should be Data-Drivers
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A recent paper from GCOOS and other ocean observing experts on developing data products driven by stakeholders was highlighted recently during the UN Ocean Decade global video conference — presented by Research Specialist Bob Currier — and the IOOS Association fall meeting. “Decision-makers and other potential end-users must be included in an ongoing stakeholder-driven process to determine what information to collect and how to best streamline access to information,” the authors argue in “Meeting Regional, Coastal and Ocean User Needs With Tailored Data Products: A Stakeholder-Driven Process.” They also present a three-step approach ideally implemented as a continuum to develop effective tailored data products:
- Identify specific user needs
- Design and refine data products
- Iterate engagement with users
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You can read the full paper in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science here.
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UG2 Webinar: Glider Piloting
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The next UG2 webinar will include a panel of glider pilots for discussion on operations and shared experiences. The panel format will allow each member 5-8 minutes to comment on piloting with details on glider type, mission type (physical, biological, acoustics, episodic vs. sustained, etc.), and challenges, as well as a use case or two on how issues were addressed. The panel will conclude with an open Q&A/comment period for the audience.
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When: 2-3 p.m. EDT Thursday, Oct. 21
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Where: GoToMeeting
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The OceanGliders community has released its common data format manual. It’s available on Github for consultation and comment and can also be found on the UG2 Data Management and Tools webpage.
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Sea Glider Stands Up to Hurricanes
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A hundred miles off the coast of Texas, a 10-foot-long yellow autonomous glider rode the waves as it patrolled the perimeter above the NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The Texas A&M Liquid Robotics WaveGlider SV3’s mission was to collect water quality data related to ocean acidification, which is essential to monitoring the long-term survival of the sanctuary’s unique coral reef ecosystem.
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The glider had a bumpy mission: riding 16-foot swells during Hurricane Nicholas and also surviving Hurricane Ida. The feat showed the important role that autonomous systems can play in collecting invaluable ocean data — even in the face of extreme weather events, the research team said.
The 90-day deployment is the first of its kind in the U.S. and is part of a multi-institutional collaborative project funded by NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Office Ocean Acidification Program (OAP).
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Argo Floats Deployed in the Gulf
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NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is currently deploying biogeochemical Argo (BGC-Argo) floats in the chronically under-observed open Gulf of Mexico — an important U.S. fishery region. The floats will measure temperature, salinity, oxygen, nitrate, pH, chlorophyll-a fluorescence, and suspended particles across the upper 2,000 m of the Gulf water column and are expanding the existing Argo array that monitors ocean temperature and salinity.
The floats are being deployed as part of the Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Carbon (GOMECC-4) 2021 Cruise.
- You can follow the cruise log here
- Want more details on BGC-Argo Gulf deployment? Contact Principal Investigator Dr. Emily Osborne at emily.osborne@noaa.gov.
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Taking Ocean Observing to the Kids
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For the 11th consecutive year, GCOOS and SECOORA collaborated to bring IOOS and ocean observing to the St. Petersburg Science Festival. The Oct. 15 festival took place virtually with thousands of students and educators from about 100 schools tuning in to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math.
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The IOOS-themed YouTube broadcast by GCOOS’s Dr. Chris Simoniello and Grant Craig and SECOORA’s Abbey Wakely, gave participants the opportunity to learn about ocean observations and how IOOS is benefitting society. It also allowed the students the opportunity to test their deciphering skills using the International Code of Signals.
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Human Health and SafetyHeHEALTH
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Red Tide Forecast Reaching New Communities
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Red tide has been present on Florida’s west coast since December 2020, affecting communities sporadically and oscillating between mild and severe. The Red Tide Respiratory Forecast tracks the bloom intensity and predicts potential respiratory impacts from the toxic aerosols in three-hour increments at individual beaches.
- Most recently, red tide concentrations have been reported in the Panhandle by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, which has been sharing data with forecast modelers. Now, students with the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station have been taking water samples and using HABscope to make additional reports for the Forecast.
- We’re also pleased to report that the Forecast is now also available in Spanish! The Spanish-language version of the site is online at PronosticoMareaRoja.com. “We want to ensure that all communities have access to important information to protect them from the effects of red tide,” said GCOOS Senior Advisor Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, who led development of the Forecast with Dr. Richard Stumpf of NOAA-NCCOS, and many other state and local partners.
The Forecast was initially developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science in partnership with GCOOS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWC-FWRI) and Pinellas County Environmental Management. The forecast was developed through funding from the NASA Health and Air Quality Program. Additional funding has been provided by NOAA-NCCOS through the multi-year “Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Bloom (MERHAB)” program and the Forecast now includes on-the-ground support from many local partners.
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Healthy Ecosystems & Living Resources
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How Are the Gulf’s Reefs Doing?
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- Read the whole series “Gulf of Mexico Reefs: Past, Present and Future” here
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NOAA’s Climate Program Office has launched a redesigned version of Climate.gov, NOAA’s award-winning, flagship website that provides the public with clear, timely, and science-based information about climate. The redesign expands the site’s capacity to connect Americans with the resources they need to understand and plan for climate-related risks.
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The National Academy of Engineering and National Academies of Sciences Gulf Research Program is hosting a webinar on offshore wind, which is continuing to grow in popularity as more governments and industries are committing to net-zero goals. The trend is gaining momentum in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and energy generated by offshore wind will be an important component of reaching net-zero emissions. Experts in research, policy, and technology will discuss the value of offshore wind energy in the United States, highlighting opportunities and challenges in the sector as it aims to meet the nation’s clean energy goals.
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Sea Level Rise for Students
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Mississippi and Alabama teachers have a new resource for teaching about sea level rise.
“Sea-Level Rise in the Classroom” is a four-module curriculum designed for high school teachers to introduce sea-level rise impacts and discuss community-based solutions with their students developed by the Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects: Sea-Level Rise (PLACE: SLR).
Module 1 addresses the science behind sea-level rise and coastal flooding, and the other three highlight pathways towards community resilience through individual and community action. Module 2 covers natural solutions, Module 3 allows students to investigate the role of policy and ordinances, and Module 4 brings it together through community planning. A culminating project allows students to explore simulated towns and create resilience plans.
PLACE: SLR is a partnership between Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Florida Sea Grant, NOAA Sea Grant, and Mississippi State University Extension to support and enhance sea-level rise resilience in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
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Honoring the GoMRI Legacy
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In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) launched a $500 million mission to study the effect of oil spills on the environment and public health. The Sea Grant Science Outreach Program honors the GoMRI legacy with a series of publications and presentations showcasing the organization’s contributions to oil spill science research.
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Deepwater Horizon Restoration
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The group includes all four federal agencies and all five Gulf states collaborating and coordinating to restore the environment after the 2010 oil spill. The plan calls for $99.6 million to implement 11 restoration projects across the five Gulf coast states. It also targets specific locations in Mexico and on the Atlantic coast of Florida.
Wildlife and other natural resources affected by the spill often live and migrate across jurisdictional boundaries, which requires a region-wide approach to restoration. This approach also links projects across regional jurisdictions.
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Abstract Submissions Open for Gulf Conference
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The Gulf of Mexico Conference is now accepting abstract submissions for the April 25-28, 2022, meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The conference emphasizes the intersection of scientific research and the management of human and natural systems in the coastal region and seeks to promote the integration of science and management into decision-making. Registration is also now open. The abstract submission deadline is Nov. 12.
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In 2010, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon resulted in the largest man-made disaster in U.S. history. Today, each Gulf state administers restoration funds and programs. Additionally, other agencies and organizations are also tasked with administering programs designed to restore Gulf habitats and better understand Gulf ecosystems.
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GCOOS extends condolences to the friends, family and entire Waves Currents Surge Information System (WAVCIS) team at the Louisiana State University as they mourn the loss of long-time technician Bill Gibson, who died on Sept. 16. An engineer, electronics expert, captain, innovator and sensor magician, Bill was a great person to work with and to be around.
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Even while dealing with personal challenges resulting from recent storm damage to his property, he still tackled problems and kept WAVCIS operational. “While we try to understand the weather, the ocean, and our environment, we know little about life,” said WAVCIS Director Dr. Chunyan Li. “Bill was a kind and responsible person, a professional colleague, and a good brother. He made significant contributions to our field. He left large footprints in this world and he will be greatly missed.”
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Congratulations to Texas SeaGrant, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in September! For half a century, the program has supported science and stewardship on the Texas coast by funding coastal and marine research and bringing data-driven resources to coastal communities through its coast-wide extension program.
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GCOOS maintains a jobs listing for positions and fellowships in the ocean observing community. Want to advertise a position? Email Laura Caldwell
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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine (NASEM): Senior Program Officer Gulf Environmental Protection and Stewardship Program
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Harte Research Institute: Endowed Chair in Socio-Economics
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Florida State University, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science: Assistant Professor
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National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Underwater Glider User Group - Program Specialist – Uncrewed Marine Systems
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Dalhousie University: Scientific Director of the Ocean Tracking Network and Professor of Biology
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University of South Florida Water Institute, Web Developer
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Mississippi State University, Gulf Research Institute - Research Engineer
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University of Southern Mississippi - Associate Marine Instrumentation Specialist
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Mote Marine Laboratory: Aquarium Services Associate, Project Manager (MarSci_LACE), Water Quality/Life Support Systems Technicia
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Science Systems and Applications, Inc. - Biogeochemistry Research Assistant
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GOOS Biology: Data Manager
Postdoctoral Positions:
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NOAA: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences, NRC Research Programs
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NRC: Research Associateship Programs Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards
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University of Michigan: Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research Microbial and Molecular Ecology
Fellowships:
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The Integrated Ocean Observing System Association: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Fellowship
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NASEM: Early Career Fellowships
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Margaret A. Davidson: Graduate Fellowship
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GCOOS maintains a listing of funding opportunities. Have an opportunity you'd like to advertise? Email Laura Caldwell
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- NASEM: Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship
- NOAA: Ocean and Coastal Mapping and Request for Partnership Proposals
- NOAA Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2022
- NOAA National Ocean Service – FY2022 Marine Debris Prevention
- NOAA: National Ocean Services - Understanding the combined impacts of multiple stressors on the function and health of marine ecosystems within the context of climate change
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NOAA: Integrated Research on Coastal and Ocean Acidification and Harmful Algal Blooms
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance
- FY 2022-2023 Margaret A. Davidson Fellowship Request for Proposal
- Restore Science Program
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25-27: MTS 15th Buoy Workshop, Wilmington, North Carolina. "Moored Systems for the Future." Abstracts due Sept. 1.
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GCOOS is the Gulf of Mexico regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and the only certified system dedicated solely to the Gulf of Mexico. Our mission is to provide timely, reliable, accurate and on-demand information on the open ocean and coastal ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico to ensure a healthy, clean, productive ocean and resilient coastal zone.
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Dr. Jorge Brenner, Executive Director • Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, Senior Advisor • Bill Lingsch, U.S. Glider User Group Coordinator • Dr. Kerri Whilden, Oceanographer • Dr. Chris Simoniello, Outreach & Education Coordinator • Dr. Chuan-Yuan Hsu, Associate Research Scientist • Felimon Gayanilo, Systems Architect, Co-Data Manager • Bob Currier, Research Specialist, Product Developer, Co-Data Manager • Marion Stoessel, Senior Research Associate • Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, Research Associate • Grant Craig, Program Coordinator • Stephanie Watson, CETACEAN Coordinator • Robbie Iles, Graduate Research Assistant • Laura Caldwell, Program Assistant • Nadine Slimak, Public Relations & Content Marketing, Vetted Communications, LLC
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In Memoriam: Matt Howard, 1952-2018
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