Gulf Research Program

Today is National . From supporting communities and economies to sustaining critical , the Mississippi River has shaped life across the region for generations.

Through Mississippi River 100 (MR100), we're partnering with The Water Institute and a growing network of collaborators to reflect on the river's past and help imagine a more resilient future for the people and places that depend on it.

Learn more about MR100 here: https://ow.ly/QqQz50Z6OwS

Over 50 students presented their sustainable design projects during the inaugural Mobile Delta Festival, a public event organized by Auburn's Gulf Adaptation Design Studio students to showcase work from the past two years of the studio's activities in Mobile. Interactive exhibits led by students were set up for visitors and solar-powered lanterns made from biodegradable materials were displayed throughout.

Auburn's Gulf Adaptation Design Studio is part of the GRP-funded Gulf Futures Design Studios initiative to prepare the next generation of professionals to identify, visualize, explore, and propose solutions to local and regional critical issues in the Gulf region.

Learn more:

Mobile Delta Festival showcases Auburn student's sustainable design projects | WKRG.com MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Auburn University students brought sustainable design projects to downtown Mobile on Friday for their Mobile Delta Festival in Cathedral Square. The pop-up exhibition showcas…

Three of our Science Policy Fellows in action this week at : Dr. Charles Wallace, Dr. Marcy Cockrell, and Hanna Bauer!

Want the chance to hear more from past SPF fellows? Tomorrow May 7, listen in on one of the several sessions led by SPF alum, including "Vessel Avoidance Behavior in Green Turtles off the Gulf Coast of Florida" and "Glass Recycling for Coastal Restoration."

Learn more and view the full schedule here: https://ow.ly/H3tP50YVKIa

There's only one week left to apply for the Energy Track of our Early-Career Research Fellowship!

The ECRF supports emerging scientific leaders through funding, mentorship, and a collaborative network of peers. The 2026 Energy Track focuses on Legacy Energy Systems and Pathways Forward, supporting research on risks associated with aging offshore infrastructure and pathways for safe decommissioning or repurposing in the .

Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/OWnB50YRcrQ

Congratulations to Gulf Offshore Research Institute, one of the winners of the Gulf Futures Challenge!

GORI is a nonprofit organization focused on developing innovative uses for offshore infrastructure to support research, economic development, and environmental stewardship in the .

Across the , many offshore oil and gas platforms are reaching the end of their operational lives, raising questions about how to manage aging infrastructure while balancing environmental impacts and future economic opportunities. Through its proposal, GORI will repurpose these platforms into multi-use offshore hubs supporting environmental stewardship, ocean monitoring, aquaculture, and workforce development, helping transition legacy infrastructure into long-term assets for the region.

Learn more about the project: https://ow.ly/2VbR50YOCfE

We’re proud to announce Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) as one of the Gulf Futures Challenge winners!

LPHI is a nonprofit organization focused on improving health outcomes through public health research, systems change, and community partnerships across the .

Across the , disasters are increasingly disrupting access to health care, especially for Community Health Centers that serve as critical lifelines for millions of residents. Through its Gulf Hub initiative, LPHI will transform these centers into Learning Resilience Hubs, energy-independent, climate-adaptive facilities designed to remain operational before, during, and after disasters, helping ensure continued access to care and strengthening long-term community resilience.

Learn more about the project: https://ow.ly/nApW50YOC71

We’re excited to announce the winners of our Gulf Futures Challenge! Congratulations to Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) and the Gulf Offshore Research Institute!

Their award-winning projects pair local knowledge with scientific innovation to strengthen the region’s people, ecosystems, and economy, while advancing long-term resilience.

Launched in 2024, the Gulf Futures Challenge competition drew more than 160 proposals from innovators across all five states. Through this GRP initiative, the Louisiana Public Health Institute and the Gulf Offshore Research Institute were each awarded $20 million to implement their solutions.

Read the press release to learn more about the winning projects, the Gulf Futures Challenge and more: https://ow.ly/MYNU50YOC4i

As season approaches, NOAA’s Southeast and Caribbean and Gulf of America Regional Collaboration Teams are hosting the 2026 Webinar Series.

These webinars will highlight tools, data, and insights to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters across the region.

The first webinar, Updates from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, will take place April 29 at 2 PM ET.

Register here: https://ow.ly/8OXE50YO9O8

Applications are open for the Environment Track of our Early-Career Research Fellowship! The ECRF supports emerging scientific leaders through funding, mentorship, and a collaborative network of peers. The 2026 Environment Track focuses on Ecosystem Health—Monitoring and Managing for Environmental Change, supporting research on ecosystem resilience, biodiversity, and environmental change in the .

Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/xtsm50YMGVK

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Dr. Maria Wallace, a 2023 Early Career Research Fellow and a valued member of the GRP community.

Maria was an extraordinary scholar, educator, and collaborator whose work in informal STEM education reflected both intellectual rigor and deep care for others. During her time as an ECRF fellow, she contributed meaningfully to the GRP community, supporting Education grant reviews and collaborating on the 2025 GSP Conference. She was also a generous peer and mentor, building connections across disciplines and institutions.

Her home institution, The University of Southern Mississippi's Center for STEM Education, shared a beautiful tribute to Maria, highlighting her impact as a researcher, educator, and mentor and described her as someone who “tirelessly reached across disciplines and institutions to expand our understanding of teaching and learning,” while maintaining close and meaningful relationships with her students. You can read their tribute here: https://ow.ly/uhLa50YJWo2

We extend our deepest condolences to her partner, Davin, also a member of the ECRF community, their daughter, family and all who knew and loved her.