UNCW Center for Marine Science

10/19/2026

Where you will participate in citizen science!
Check out CoastalReview.org's feature on NC SAV Watchers, a new research and community science initiative launched by Coastal Carolina Riverwatch and the UNCW and funded by North Carolina Sea Grant 's 2026-2028 Core Research Program. The study is led by Dr. Jessie Jarvis UNCW Biology & Marine Biology Department - https://www.coastalplantecologylab.org/

https://coastalreview.org/2026/10/trained-community-volunteers-to-monitor-seagrass-for-study/

The research is geared toward finding the best ways to train community volunteers to collect data on underwater seagrasses in waters throughout the state in a program led by Coastal Carolina Riverwatch and the University of North Carolina Wilmington and funded by North Carolina Sea Grant.

10/16/2026

😂 In Honor of Boss's Day 😹🐾🐈🐈‍⬛🤣

10/15/2026

Today Trinity Landing - A Senior Living Community Benthic Ecology Lab interns from UNCW are presenting “An Intern’s Perspective on Working with Local Communities on Living Shoreline Projects.” An example of community engagement from Trinity Landing with students and labs at CMS.

10/14/2026

We had to share this exciting news!
UNCW Researchers Advance Robotics Through Human Gaze!

Student researchers and recent alumni Joseph Scott ’26, Charlie Caputo ’26 and Andrew Lawson ’24 joined Assistant Professor of Computer Science Hamed Saeidi in developing a system that uses eye-tracking technology to guide robotic movement, offering new possibilities for people who cannot rely on their hands to interact with the world around them.

What if a simple glance could help someone regain independence?

At UNCW, intelligent systems engineering students, alumni and faculty are advancing gaze-guided robotics, transforming eye movements into commands that control a robotic arm. By combining eye-tracking technology, mixed reality and predictive control systems, they're creating hands-free solutions that could improve daily life for people with paralysis, Parkinson’s disease and other mobility impairments.

From carrying a cup without spilling to opening new possibilities for accessibility, this research is helping turn innovation into impact.

https://www.uncw.edu/news/2026/10/uncw-researchers-advance-robotics-through-human-gaze

10/13/2026

CONGRATS to Drs. Madison Lytle, W. Judson Kenworthy, and Jessie Jarvis's on their new paper in "Marine Ecology Progress Series." The paper is one of Lytle's dissertation chapters.

Their research evaluated seasonal temperature and light conditions influence on 'Halodule wrightii' in NC and whether the proposed water clarity target in the 2021 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan amendment will support NC seagrasses.

Results highlight the need to consider seasonal light and temperature interactions when setting water clarity targets to sustain NC seagrass, especially near its biogeographic range limits. Graphic: Melissa D. Smith

UNCW Biology & Marine Biology Department



https://doi.org/10.3354/meps15240

10/13/2026

UNCW alum Dr. Byron Toothman with North Carolina Coastal Reserve shared these early morning launch shots taken from the UNCW Center for Marine Science pier! Our colleague Patrick Carroll posted a great image taken from Wrightsville Beach ... in comments. 👇🏼

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day!
Mental Health Matters!
Check Out These Health & Wellness Resources:
https://redirectapp.uncw.edu/seahawk-life/health-wellness/

10/09/2026

for National C60 Day! 😂 Shaped like a soccer ball, C60 is aka buckminsterfullerene or a buckyball. C60 is a hollow molecule made from 60 carbon atoms that works as a ¨free radical sponge¨ with the ability to neutralize free radicals and reset itself. ⚽

10/08/2026

UNCW's new research vessel the "Osprey" designed with purpose specifically to support coastal and marine science research across interdisciplinary departments and disciplines.
Drone image courtesy of Patrick Carroll.

Two vessels arriving in Wilmington this fall could help shape the next generation of marine research and technology training at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College. The newly built R/V (Research Vessel) Osprey, which arrived at UNCW’s Center for Marine Scien...

10/08/2026

UNCW, Where you will dive into coastal science!
Our friends at North Carolina Coastal Reserve shared about grad student Matt Bues who is their 2026 North Carolina Coastal Research Fellow.

Bues is conducting hands-on local research at the Masonboro Island and Zeke's Island Reserves to monitor larval fish populations.

Diving into coastal science! 🌊 Matt Bues, our 2026 North Carolina Coastal Research Fellow, is investigating how estuaries support larval and juvenile fish populations and how water quality influences their abundance and diversity. He is conducting hands-on research at the Masonboro Island and Zeke's Island Reserves using a sampling device called a SMURF to help monitor larval fish populations.

Excited to see how his findings will help us better protect and understand our coastal ecosystems! North Carolina Sea Grant