Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME-II) consortium
The NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II (CCME-II) was established in 2021 as a Cooperative Science Center (CSC) through an award funded by the NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI). The goal of the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II (CCME-II) cooperative agreement (NA 21SEC4810004) is to recruit, educate, train, and graduate a new generation of scientists in NOAA-mission aligned STEM disciplines, equipped to utilize interdisciplinary approaches to address issues confronting marine and coastal communities. CCME-II research is conducted in the areas of Place-Based Conservation, Coastal Intelligence and Coastal Resilience. Through NOAA-mission aligned research and social science integration, the CCME-II student, faculty, and staff produce results that can be used for better understanding and resolution of short-term and long-term science and policy issues related to coastal and marine ecosystems.
The CSC is comprised of six institutions led by Florida A&M University (FAMU). The minority-serving institutions bring forth a wealth of relevant academic programs and faculty with extensive expertise in coastal and marine ecosystems. Additionally, CCME-II institutions have well-established records of educating students in NOAA-related science and policy, preparing graduates for productive careers and conducting high impact research. Partners include:
- Florida A&M University (FAMU)
- The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
- Bethune-Cookman University
- California State University – Monterey Bay
- Jackson State University
- University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley
Participating TAMU-CC faculty from HRI, the Department of Life Sciences (LSCI), and the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences (PENS) include:
- Jennifer Beseres Pollack, Ph.D., Larry D. McKinney Endowed Chair for Coastal Conservation & Restoration, LSCI Professor
- Dale Gawlik, Ph.D., HRI Chair for Conservation & Biodiversity, LSCI Professor
- James Gibeaut, Ph.D., HRI Chair for Coastal and Marine Geospatial Sciences, PENS Professor
- Xinping Hu, Ph.D., HRI Chair for Ecosystem Science & Modeling, PENS Professor
- Paul Montagna, Ph.D., HRI Chair for HydroEcology, PENS Professor
- Greg Stunz, Ph.D., Senior Executive Director of HRI, HRI Chair for Fisheries and Ocean Health and Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation Director
- Michael Wetz, Ph.D., HRI Chair for Coastal Ecosystem Processes, LSCI Professor
- Kristina Alexander, HRI Chair for Marine Policy & Law, PENS Professor