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News & Events

Alaskan crab
Two students sitting next to a rapidly moving river in Alaska with mountains in the background

Two students smiling at the camera while each holds a starfish

Dr. Lehrter taking data in the stream with graduate student Chris

We Explore. We investigate. We Find Answers.

 Teaching the next generation of marine and environmental scientists is our mission. Through experiential learning, our students gain knowledge. Find out what our students are doing and join us in celebrating their successes.

Latest News


 The Innovation in Learning Center has featured Dr. Molly Miller on their webpage, highlighting her innovative approaches and dedication to student success. Congratulations Dr. Miller on this well deserved recognition!Dr. Molly Miller

It's Hurricane Season!

Dr. Dzwonkowski's recent publication in Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, investigates the interactions of three 2017 hurricanes-Cindy, Harvey, and Nate-with the coastal ocean and atmosphere in the Mississippi Bight, Northern Gulf. His findings provide compelling evidence that a warm fall can intensify hurricanes in the Gulf. This is a reminder not to let your guard down. 

Sept
23

Tuesday, Sept. 23
Marine Science Major Family Meeting
DISL Spring Semester by the Sea
4:00-6:00  p.m. | EOB 260

Sept
25
Thursday, Sept. 25
Green Jags
Monthly Meeting
4:30 p.m. | EOB 101
Oct
1
Wednesday, October 1
Meet the Majors
4-5:30  p.m. | EOB 101
▼   Student Spotlight

"Dissolved Oxygen May Limit the Suitability of Salt Marsh as Nekton Habitat," a student led paper by REU student Andrew Clark was published in Estuaries and Coasts. Congratulations to Dr. Baker's team. 

Behind the Glass: Real Research, Real Impact

Grace Stringer As you enter the SSoMES lobby, you'll catch a glimpse of the Environment & Society Lab in motion—visible through the glass and buzzing with activity. Those boxes of mail? It's part of Grace Stringer's ongoing dissertation research.

Surveys are being mailed out across greater Perdido Bay area aim to gain the perspectives of both waterfront and inland residents of Perdido Bay on fisheries, shoreline/habitat health, and coastal recreation accessibility.

This information will be used to inform natural resource managers and other stakeholders on the management of Perdido Bay, including improving disability accessibility to coastal recreation in and along the Bay. 


▼   Faculty Spotlight

We are thrilled to welcome Assistant Professor Dr. Kelsi Furman to the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Furman holds a Ph.D. in Marine and Environmental Sciences from Northeastern University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her academic journey has been rooted in bridging the social and natural sciences to better understand how coastal communities interact with and influence marine ecosystems. With experience spanning NOAA, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and multiple National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) working groups, Dr. Furman brings a dynamic portfolio of research focused on fisheries access, seafood systems, participatory modeling, and the innovative use of artificial intelligence in qualitative data analysis. Her work is grounded in collaboration with fishermen, coastal community members, and policymakers, and aims to support resilient working waterfronts, holistic marine governance, and sustainable seafood production. We are excited for the interdisciplinary perspective Dr. Furman brings to SSoMES and we look forward to the impact her work will have on our students, research communities, and coastal partners.
woman standing on the bow of a boat weighing a very large fish
▼   Publications and TV appearances

 

Dr. Ronnie Baker appeared on WKRG on September 17, 2025

Dauphin Island Research Project Aims to Improve Future Restoration Initiatives

Congratulations to Dr. Alemu on his recent publication    "The pluralistic natural capital values of a tropical city" in Ecosystem Services.

 

▼   Fun in the Field Pics

woman standing on glacial ice on alaskan mountain
southpaw plush jaguar sits on a wooden rail with alakan scenery in the background
student taking water sample data in a colorado river
grad student standing at the rear of a boar holding a deviceattached to an orange bouy

 

▼   Volunteers Wanted

Join the Carmichael Lab!

The Carmichael Lab at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) is looking for volunteers wanting research lab experience!

If you are interested in gaining experience for graduate school or your future career in a fun, dynamic lab, here's your chance!

Requirements:

  • Available to work 4-8 hours per week
  • Reliable transportation to Dauphin Island Sea Lab
  • Positive and hardworking attitude

Contact: ALMMSN@DISL.ORG

▼   Know Before You Go

Dr. Brian Dzwonkowski’s research team has installed a new wave buoy ~ 10 miles south of Dauphin Island with the hope that it will become a permanent part of Alabama Real-Time coastal Ocean Observing System (ARCOS) network.

Know Before You Go!  The data that the new buoy collects can be used by boaters and beach-goers to help safely plan for activities at Alabama’s beaches and in the coastal ocean.

Data includes:

  •  Hourly wave data
    • Height
    • Direction
  • Sea surface temperature
  • Atmospheric pressure     

Support for this buoy was provided by the Gulf of America Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) as part of the Supporting Coastal Resilience with Inflation Reduction Act supplemental NOAA-IOOS award with additional personnel support from the National Science Foundation through the Biological Opportunities And Training in Sciences(BOATS) internship program at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.