University of South Florida College of Marine Science

09/14/2026

The University of South Florida's College of Marine Science has been awarded a five-year, $8.5 million cooperative agreement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Coast Survey to continue the work of world-class researchers at the Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies (COMIT).

Accurate seafloor maps are vital for safe and efficient maritime transportation, natural resource management, and improved forecasts of storm surges resulting from hurricanes and other tropical weather events.

Researchers in the College of Marine Science are being joined by faculty from the USF College of Engineering and the new USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing to accomplish the objectives of the new cooperative agreement, which include leveraging artificial intelligence and applied engineering for mapping and data-processing efforts.

“COMIT researchers are using advanced technologies to collect and analyze topographic and bathymetric information,” said Steven Murawski, director of COMIT and professor in the College of Marine Science. “The next five years will witness rapid advances in the processing of such information using artificial intelligence and machine learning methods.”

Learn more about the future of COMIT below:

The Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies was first launched in 2020 by a $9-million award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

09/11/2026

What can chemistry tell us about a changing ocean? 🌊🧪

A lot, according to researchers in the CO2 Chemistry Lab at the USF College of Marine Science.

Graduate students Macarena Martín-Mayor, Naja Murphy, and Juan Millan-Otoya recently boarded the National Science Foundation’s R/V Sikuliaq for the West Coast Ocean Acidification Cruise. Using a CTD rosette (which measures conductivity, temperature, and depth), the researchers collected samples from discrete depths throughout the water column, providing a snapshot of marine chemistry from the surface to the deep ocean.

What exactly are they measuring?

🌊 pH: Tells us how acidic or basic the seawater is.

🐚 Calcium: An important part of seawater chemistry and a building block organisms use to form calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.

🧪 Organic alkalinity: The contribution of organic compounds to seawater’s ability to resist changes in pH.

These measurements help researchers better understand how ocean chemistry is changing and what those changes could mean for marine ecosystems.

09/09/2026

Here’s a glimpse into what offshore days are like for researchers at the College of Marine Science!

From scientific diving to collecting water samples with a CTD rosette — which measures conductivity, temperature, and depth — our researchers and graduate students often spend time offshore gathering data that advances science and deepens our understanding of the ocean 🌊

09/09/2026

FIO will be hosting a MATE ROV Competition Barracuda Workshop October 10th-October 13th on the USF St. Petersburg campus. While attendance is expected for participants over the weekend, flexible options will be available for weekday participation. Application details listed below.

Register here: https://share.hsforms.com/1Hdst_DEOTJycOjU8xaH31Qcbjfq

We hope you can join us!

08/28/2026

For more than 35 years, the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls has introduced teens to the world of marine science. On this episode, Education & Outreach Director Teresa Greely and Outreach Coordinator Makenzie Kerr discuss how the program inspires future scientists and serves as a model that can be replicated nationwide.

Listen to the Rising Tides Podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/the-rising-tides-podcast/episodes/69a6f2070c5f248849bdf4dc

The Rising Tides Podcast was produced in partnership with the Department of Journalism and Digital Communication at the USF College of Arts and Sciences.

08/24/2026

Welcome back, College of Marine Science! 🌊

The fall 2026 semester is underway, and we’re excited to welcome a new cohort to the college, see our community together again, and celebrate all that our students, faculty, and staff will accomplish in the months ahead.

Here’s to charting a course for another great semester ⛴️

08/21/2026

Welcome aboard, Lakshmi Miller! ⛴️

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our newest faculty member, Lakshmi Miller, assistant professor of hydrography. Miller comes to the program with a background in ocean engineering and expertise in developing autonomous and unmanned underwater vehicles for oceanic research.

Her goal is to make these subsea vehicles as well-understood as cars — and safe for recreational use!

Learn more about her impressive resume, fascination with submarines, and advice for graduate students here:

Lakshmi Miller is an ocean engineer whose expertise includes the development of autonomous and uncrewed underwater vehicles.

08/19/2026

In season two of the Rising Tides Podcast, learn about the research of the Tampa Bay Surveillance Project, an innovative effort to track contaminants throughout the Tampa Bay estuary. Professor Steven Murawski and graduate researcher Alexandra Lee discuss everything from catching fish to analyzing samples, while highlighting the project's local impact and hands-on student training.

Listen to the episode produced in partnership with the Department of Journalism and Digital Communication in the USF College of Arts and Sciences here: https://shows.acast.com/the-rising-tides-podcast/episodes/69a6f26d0c5f248849be1de0

08/17/2026

Satellite imagery is revealing the environmental impacts of oil spills in the Middle East, many of which appear related to conflicts in the region.

In an interview with The New York Times, Brian Barnes of the Optical Oceanography Lab describes the use of satellites to identify oil spills in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

“Satellite observations are great and can tell us a lot,” Barnes said.

Read more about the spills and their potential toll on the region’s marine environment:

The spill of Russian crude bound for India compounds the environmental damage from spills in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where tankers and oil facilities have come under attack.

08/12/2026

In the wake of the Marine Science Laboratory fire, graduate students have rallied together to assist in the College of Marine Science’s recovery.

They have worked side by side to recover and sort thousands of samples, adapted to makeshift labs and offices, and supported one another — all while continuing their research.

Read how their resilience and commitment to their community are helping to move the college forward:

As the college deals with the aftermath of the fire, graduate students step up to help with recovery efforts and support each other.