Department of Coastal Sciences
Student Funding
Ph.D. and M.S. Graduate Research Assistantships in Marine Aquaculture
The Department of Coastal Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is seeking highly qualified students for M.S. or Ph.D. studies in Marine Aquaculture. The department is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, MS.
The successful candidate(s) will study some aspect of closed system culture and/or stock enhancement of striped bass, red snapper, or spotted seatrout with respect to captive spawning, larval/juvenile rearing technology, larval nutrition, epidemiology and control of diseases, tagging/release techniques, ecology of stock enhancement, or genetics. Resources include a molecular genetics laboratory and newly completed marine finfish culture facilities at the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center (www.usm.edu/gcrl/cmac/).
Successful candidate(s) must possess a B.S. or M.S. in biology or a related science and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The GRE (verbal and quantitative) and TOEFL (for non-native English speakers) are required. Salary starts at $1,600/mo and includes a tuition waiver.
Interested individuals should contact any of the individuals below:
Dr. Jeff Lotz
Professor and Chair
Department of Coastal Sciences
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-872-4247
jeff.lotz@usm.edu
Dr. Reg Blaylock
Associate Research Professor
Department of Coastal Sciences
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-872-4568
reg.blaylock@usm.edu
Dr. Eric Saillant
Assistant Professor
Department of Coastal Sciences
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-872-4287
eric.saillant@usm.edu
MS or PhD Graduate Assistantship
One MS or PhD study opportunity is available at the Systems Ecology program at the Department of Coastal Sciences of the University Southern Mississippi located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Miss., on the Gulf of Mexico coast.
Our program centers on spatial modeling of hydrological cycles, primary productivity, and nitrogen dynamics of upland ecosystems and its links to the coastal water quality and salt marsh habitats under the scenarios of climate change and land cover / land use (LULC) change. The research project could include comparing the roles of upland / coastal LULC change and accelerating sea level rise on salt marsh migration at Mississippi Gulf Coast, or evaluating hurricanes’ impacts on nitrogen dynamics of upland / coastal forests, which leads to the changes of nitrogen loading at the coastal waters. The research will involve applying intensive computer model simulations integrating with GIS and remotely sensed data (Landsat, MODIS, LiDAR etc) as well as field work.
Successful applicants will be provided a full-time Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver and medical benefits. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree with experience or MS when applying for the PhD program. The position is available in January 2009.
Interested individuals should contact:
Dr. Wei Wu
Assistant Professor
The University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Tel: +1 (228) 818-8855
Email: wei.wu@usm.edu
M.S. Graduate Assistantship - Genetic monitoring of marine stock enhancement programs.
The Department of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi is requesting applications from highly qualified students for its M.S. program in coastal sciences with a focus in marine aquaculture and conservation. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, Miss., on the Gulf of Mexico coast.
The successful candidate will be involved in the development of panels of molecular markers that will be used to monitor the success and the impacts of marine fish stock enhancement programs. Potential research projects include studies of post-release survival of fish produced in aquaculture facilities and released during the programs, estimation of the effective number of captive breeders contributing to released populations, and assessments of genetic diversity, genetic structure and effective size of the wild populations being supplemented. This research will contribute to the assessment and monitoring of stock enhancement programs developed at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory for three different marine fish species.
Successful applicants will be provided a 12-month full-time Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver. Candidates should possess a Bachelor degree in a relevant field (e.g. Biology, Fisheries or Aquaculture) when applying for the M.S. program. The position is available starting fall 2008.
Interested individuals should contact:
Dr. Eric Saillant
Assistant Professor
The University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
E-mail: eric.saillant@usm.edu
PhD Graduate Assistantship - Marine Botany
The Department of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi is requesting applications from highly qualified students for its PhD program in coastal ecosystems with a focus in marine botany. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, MS on the Gulf of Mexico.
Our research activities center around the propagation and germination of a variety of seagrass and saltmarsh species in the Gulf of Mexico region. Plants will be used for local coastal restoration projects planned by state and federal agencies as part of Hurricane Katrina recovery activities. Research projects could include aspects of plant reproduction and early life-history, photo-physiology using PAM fluorescence, and/or genetic analyses of population variability. Current research projects can be viewed at: http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/ceg/faculty.php
Successful applicants will be provided a full-time Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree with experience or MS when applying for the PhD program. The position is available January 2008.
Interested individuals should contact:
Dr. Patrick Biber
Assistant Professor, Marine Botany
University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
tel: +1 (228) 872 4260
email: patrick.biber@usm.edu
MS Graduate Assistantship – Marine Mycology
An MS graduate assistantship is available at The Department of Coastal Sciences for a highly qualified student wishing to conduct research on the role of root associated fungi in saltmarsh restoration success.
Saltmarsh communities are important vegetated habitats that are classified as essential fish habitat, reduce wave energy, enhance sedimentation, stabilize the sediment, clean coastal waters and provide coastal defense from erosion. Saltmarshes, however, are declining with the most dramatic coastal wetland losses in the United States are in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This area comprises 41% of all national wetlands and from 1955–1978 this region lost 12,700 ha of wetlands, the same land area as Rhode Island.
In efforts to overcome the loss of these valuable habitats, saltmarsh restoration projects are on the increase. In the northern Gulf of Mexico restoration efforts have focused on planting of saltmarsh species, primarily Juncus and Spartina, often on reclaimed or created dredge spoil islands. Nursery-raised plants are the major source of plants used in restoration projects.
This research assistantship will investigate the role of symbiotic root-associated fungi (VAM) in raising saltmarsh nursery plants. The interaction between VAM and saltmarsh plants is an understudied area that has many implications for future restoration efforts. The objectives of this study are to determine if VAM increase the growth and health of nursery-grown saltmarsh plants, and whether this results in higher restoration success with fewer plants dying from, among other things, transplant shock.
Successful applicants will be provided a 12-month Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver and health benefits. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree (GPA >= 3.0). The position is available starting summer 2008 and will be open until filled. Interested individuals should contact:
Dr Jinx Campbell
Asst Professor Marine Mycology
Department of Coastal Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs
MS, 39564
(228) 818-8878
e-mail: jinx.campbell@usm.edu
MS or PhD Graduate Assistantship Marine Mycology Research
The Department of Coastal Sciences (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/coastal_sciences/) at the University of Southern Mississippi (http://www.usm.edu) is requesting applications from highly qualified students for its MS or PhD program in coastal sciences with a focus in marine mycology. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, MS (http://www.oceanspringschamber.com/) on the Gulf of Mexico.
Current research in marine mycology at GCRL includes the diversity of saprophytic marine fungi in natural and created saltmarshes; marine fungi as indicators of human impact on coastal environments; improving saltmarsh restoration using symbiotic fungal associations; fungal infections of captive and wild-stranded bottlenose dolphins; and colonization and species succession on artificial reefs.
Successful applicants will be provided a 12-month Research Assistantship with a tuition waiver. Candidates should possess a relevant BS degree (GPA >= 3.0), and MS (GPA >= 3.5) if applying for the PhD program. The position is available starting summer 2008 and will be open until filled. Interested individuals should contact:
Dr Jinx Campbell
Asst Professor Marine Mycology
Department of Coastal Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs
MS, 39564
(228) 818-8878
e-mail: jinx.campbell@usm.edu
Lytle Coastal Sciences Scholarship
In 1999, Drs. Tom and Julia Lytle established this scholarship for graduate student professional development. The Lytle Scholarship of $500 is awarded each year to a graduate student in good standing in the Department of Coastal Sciences. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate student who best demonstrates his or her commitment to academic and career goals in coastal sciences. The funds are designed to enhance the student's professional development. Recipients have used the award to offset expenses associated with attending scientific meetings, obtaining specialized training and personal library development.
Kalin Lloyd
(228) 872-4201
Kalin.B.lloyd@usm.edu
Dr. John R. Sharp Memorial Scholarship
The Dr. John R. Sharp Memorial Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to students wishing to attend field classes or conduct independent research during the summer months at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL). Recipients of the scholarship will be undergraduate or graduate students who are returning to GCRL for a second summer of classes in the Summer Field Program (SFP) or who are continuing their independent research for a second summer. Students may attend one or both summer field sessions as a full-time student (5 course hours) or complete a minimum of 5 hours independent research during the summer term under the guidance of a Department of Coastal Sciences (COA) faculty member. This scholarship is only available for summer study/research.
Requirements:
- Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student returning for a second summer of study/research at GCRL.
- Applicant must register for full time credit (5 hours) in summer classes in one or both summer sessions or a minimum of 5 hours independent research under the guidance of a COA faculty member.
- Applicant must reside in the dormitory on the GCRL campus during the summer program of study/research.
Awards:
Students meeting the above requirements will receive a stipend based on the number of students receiving the award. A maximum of two (2) recipients will be identified each year. If two students are to receive an award, each student will receive one half (1/2) the scholarship funds available. If one student is to receive the scholarship, the entire amount available will be awarded to the student. The scholarship will be paid to each recipient's University of Southern Mississippi business account to help offset tuition and other academic expenses. All other academic and living expenses will be the responsibility of the recipient(s).
Applicants are required to submit the following by April 15 of the year in which the student will attend the GCRL SFP:
- A completed GCRL/SFP application form including official transcript(s);
- One (1) letter of recommendation from an academic adviser or major professor; and,
- A short essay (not to exceed 250 words) on the subject of how attending Summer Field Program classes or conducting independent research at GCRL will help achieve your educational or career goals.
Scholarship applications will be evaluated by the SFP committee and the recipient(s) of the Dr. John R. Sharp Memorial Scholarship will be announced by May 1 each year. The criteria that will be considered in awarding the scholarship include:
- Essay
- Overall GPA
- Letter of recommendation
- Past performance in the GCRL SFP or previous independent research conducted at GCRL by the student.
Completed scholarship applications should be mailed to:
Summer Field Program Coordinator
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Bennie A. Rohr Summer Field Program Scholarship
The Bennie A. Rohr Summer Field Program Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to students who wish to attend field classes or conduct independent research at the The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) during the summer semester. Students who are eligible to compete for this scholarship must reside (home residence) in one of the three coastal counties of Mississippi (Hancock, Harrison or Jackson) and be undergraduate or graduate students majoring in the biological sciences. Applicants must be full-time at GCRL during at least one of the summer sessions and register for a minimum of 5 credit hours course work or a minimum of 5 credit hours independent research. Independent research will be conducted under the guidance of a Department of Coastal Sciences (COA) faculty member. This scholarship is only available for summer study or research.
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant must reside (home residence) in one of the three coastal counties of Mississippi (Hancock, Harrison or Jackson),
Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student in the biological sciences, and
Applicant must be a full-time student at GCRL during at least one of the summer sessions. Applicant must be registered for either 5 credit hours (minimum) of summer course work or 5 credit hours (minimum) of independent research. Independent research will be conducted under the guidance of a COA faculty member.
AWARDS:
The scholarship will award $1,000 to one student each summer. The scholarship will be paid to the recipient’s Southern Miss business account to help offset tuition and other academic expenses. Academic and living expenses in excess of the scholarship award will be the responsibility of the student.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING BY APRIL 15:
- A completed GCRL Summer Field Program Application including official transcript(s),
- One (1) letter of recommendation from an academic adviser or major professor, and
- A short essay (not to exceed 500 words) on the subject of how attending GCRL Summer Field Program courses or conducting independent research at GCRL will help achieve your educational or career goals.
Scholarship applications will be evaluated by the Summer Field Program Committee, and the recipient of the Bennie A. Rohr Summer Field Program Scholarship will be announced by May 1. The criteria that will be considered in awarding the scholarship include:
- Essay
- Overall GPA
- Letter of recommendation
Completed scholarship applications should be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to:
Kalin Lloyd
Summer Field Program Coordinator
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
