UNCW College of Science and Engineering

From the volleyball court to cutting-edge geospatial research! 🏐🌎

UNCW graduate student Margo Huff ’25, ’27M is turning her passion for environmental science into a thriving career in geospatial science. A former Division I volleyball player and UNCW Environmental Sciences Department alumna, Huff is making her mark through innovative research and a prestigious internship with GIS industry leader Esri.

Margo Huff ’25, ’27M Margo Huff ’25, ’27M is advancing geospatial science through research at UNCW and a prestigious internship with GIS leader Esri.

This summer, Dr. Laavanya Rachakonda led the research-intensive course, "Hardware for Hunger: Engineering Smart Systems from Soil to Sea," as part of UNCW's Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics program. High school students explored how IoT, smart agriculture, coastal aquaculture and cyber-physical systems are transforming food ecosystems and critical infrastructure.

To bring classroom concepts to life, students ventured into the field for immersive visits across the Wilmington area, including:

🐟 Finfish Facility
🚜 Black River Organic Farms
🦪 Oyster Hatchery
⚡ Duke Energy Brunswick Nuclear Plant
🌱 Hydroponics at James Sprunt Community

Back in the lab, students turned inspiration into innovation by designing, programming and building autonomous prototypes using ESP32 and Arduino microcontrollers, environmental sensors and predictive analytics.

By connecting technology, sustainability and real-world problem-solving, these young researchers gained firsthand experience tackling the challenges and opportunities shaping our food systems of tomorrow.

Beginning in August 2026, UNCW will offer a new undergraduate degree in Data Science, designed to prepare students for success in the fast-moving worlds of data science and artificial intelligence. Through a blend of foundational coursework and hands-on learning experiences, students will gain the skills needed to navigate emerging technologies, solve complex problems and lead in a data-driven future.

UNCW Launches Bachelor of Science in Data Science Program A new undergraduate program in data science will be offered at UNCW beginning in August 2026.

More than ONE-THIRD of the honorees on the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list are Seahawks! 🦅🙌

This annual spotlight celebrates rising stars across southeastern North Carolina—young leaders who are making a real impact in their organizations and communities.

Here’s to Seahawk innovators, changemakers and trailblazers leading the way!

Seahawks Lead the Flock with 40 Under 40 Honors More than one-third of the names on the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce's annual 40 Under 40 list are Seahawks.

From lab to land 🌱🤖 - a UNCW student-faculty team is combining AI and robotics to give farmers smarter, ground-level insights for better decisions.

Growing Intelligence It started with a suburban backyard garden but could provide the decision-making tools that farmers and others need to cultivate their land for long-term viability.

UNCW's RAIN Lab is teaming up with an elite, international group led by JAXA to take global precipitation tracking to the next level. By harnessing enhanced satellite data, especially over remote ocean regions beyond the reach of traditional radar, this collaboration is helping improve the accuracy of rainfall measurements worldwide.

UNCW Partners with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency UNCW’s RAIN Lab has joined an elite international team, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), that is using enhanced satellite data to increase the accuracy of global precipitation measurements. The research includes a special focus on vast expanses of ocean that ground-based weath...

Assistant Professor Brittany N. Zepernick is shining bright as a recipient of the prestigious Daylight Award in Research ☀️🔬.

As part of an international team, she’s helping lead groundbreaking discoveries on how light shapes microbial, photosynthetic life in the water column, unlocking insights that could impact our understanding of climate and ecosystems worldwide.

Brittany N. Zepernick Named Daylight Award Laureate Brittany N. Zepernick, assistant professor in the UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology, has been named a recipient of The Daylight Award in Research.

Beneath the surface, the Veterans Memorial Reef stands as a living legacy, honoring those who served while giving new life to our coastal ecosystems. 🇺🇸🌊

UNCW Coastal Engineering students are helping uncover how this unique site interacts with the ocean, using a 9,500-gallon wave flume to simulate conditions and study wave energy around the reef. Their research not only supports future preservation efforts but also advances our understanding of how artificial reefs can protect and sustain marine life.

In death, a living legacy may thrive at Veterans Memorial Reef | Coastal Review Military veteran Thomas Marcinowski's final wishes to be interred beneath the waves prompted him to form a nonprofit that enables others who served to have their cremains interred in eco-positive reef modules, including nine whose ashes are to be placed on the seafloor Monday.