Dr. Jerry Wiggert Appointed to International Ocean Science Leadership Role

Mon, 10/26/2026 - 10:10am | By: Morgan Smith

Dr. Jerry Wiggert, professor of marine science in The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering, has been appointed secretary of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR).

Wiggert’s appointment places him on SCOR’s Executive Committee and expands Southern Miss’ presence within the international ocean science community. He was confirmed to the position during SCOR’s annual meeting in Helsinki, Finland, and will serve a four-year term.

Founded in 1957, SCOR works to advance ocean science by bringing together scientists from around the world to address research questions that cross disciplines and national boundaries. More than 600 scientists from approximately 60 countries participate in SCOR activities each year.

“During the eight years I served as the associate director of the Division of Marine Science, I gained a thorough understanding of, and appreciation for, the international reach of our faculty, which is an inherent aspect of oceanographic research,” Wiggert said. “Our programs have also historically attracted students from all corners of the world. They come here for the renowned research and training our faculty can provide, as well as for the potential employment opportunities with our federal agency partners co-located on the Stennis Space Center campus.”

The appointment reconnects Wiggert with global ocean science efforts in which he has held several roles throughout his career. He was a founding member of the Scientific Steering Committee for Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemical and Ecosystem Research (SIBER) and has served on the CLIVAR Indian Ocean Reference Panel and as the Southern Miss representative on the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.

At Southern Miss, Wiggert’s research focuses on coastal and marine systems, including the connections between estuarine and offshore environments. He also serves on the National Academies’ Ocean Studies Board and the Executive Steering Committee for the Mississippi Based Restore Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE).

“I’ve seen firsthand the breadth of SCOR’s activities that are grounded in fostering international collaborative research and regional capacity building,” Wiggert said. “Stepping into the SCOR secretary position will allow me to re-engage in facilitating international cooperation to advance oceanographic research, and I look forward to actively guiding and supporting the good works enabled by what is effectively the ‘Oceanographic United Nations.’”

Learn more about the international Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research and the School of Ocean Science and Engineering at Southern Miss.

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