Texas Sea Grant Awards $1.8 Million In Research Funding

The Texas Sea Grant College Program at Texas A&M University has awarded seven new research grants totaling $1.8 million for two-year research projects. The grants will fund research at universities around the state to support coastal and marine ecosystems, communities and economies.

Through partnerships with the State of Texas and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Texas Sea Grant conducts a competitive research grant program every two years that draws on the expertise of the state’s top scientists. Funded projects are selected using a competitive and rigorous peer-review process that considers the project’s potential to produce substantial and beneficial impacts to society and its ability to integrate research and extension efforts.

Projects must also align with Texas Sea Grant’s strategic plan and four focus areas: Resilient Communities and Economies, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Education and Workforce Development.

Awards for the 2022-23 period are:

• “AI‐Based Roadway Flooding Digital Twinning (AIR‐FLOOD),” Kunhee Choi, Texas A&M University
• “Development and Deployment of Low‐cost Microbial Amendments to Enhance Dune Restorations along the Texas Gulf Coast,” Kerri Crawford, University of Houston
• “Relationship between Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Texas Offshore and Bay Fishes: Risk Assessment and Health Education,” Jessica Dutton, Texas State University
• “Identification of Cost‐effective Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Mitigate Flooding in Houston’s Vulnerable Communities and Improve Galveston Bay Fisheries,” Jessica Eisma, University of Texas at Arlington
• “Using Population Genomics to Inform Stock Enhancement and Ecosystem‐Based Management of Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus,” David Portnoy, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
• “Facilitating Sustainable and Profitable Oyster Culture: Promoting Equity of Opportunities for Texas’ Lower Laguna Madre,” Joanne Rampersad, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• “Shining Light on Harvest and Effort for the Recreational Flounder Gig Fishery in Texas,” Greg Stunz, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

“Supporting the best research in science and technology to address real-world challenges has been the cornerstone of Texas Sea Grant’s program for more than 50 years,” said Texas Sea Grant Director Pamela T. Plotkin. “These new awards will add to the program’s strong legacy of implementing research to action­—with the integration of extension—to engage, educate and translate the research results to the communities, which will benefit from these discoveries.”