Microbes are all around us...and they may be doing far more than we realize. At #UTMSI, researchers (Prasad & Lever) are uncovering how tiny microbes interact with detrital particles by isolating living microbial cells — allowing them to watch these interactions in real time.

🎉 Congrats grad student Lauren Bomer - selected as a GCAN Fellow! She represented Texas at the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program meeting, where she shared research, built connections, and helped shape future Gulf coastal science. gcoos.org/gcan-fellows/ #UTMSI #TexasScience

#UTMSI is researching how microplastics affect human health — the Liu Lab recently attended the UT MD Anderson–UT Austin Collaborative Research Summit, where they connected across campuses to tackle complex environmental and health challenges. 🧪🌊 🤘

Construction is underway on our new, state‑of‑the‑art research vessel for UT Marine Science Institute—built to power discovery across the Texas coast and the Gulf. 👉

New research from UTMSI shows that sunlight causes ocean plastics to release dissolved chemical compounds—not just smaller plastic particles—reshaping how we understand plastic pollution. 🔬 #UTMSI #TexasScience #Plastic #Ocean #Microplastics #nurdle #MarineDebris

Providing hands-on education and experience is what we do every day. #TexasScience #UTMSI

Thankful for support from the Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program for projects at UTMSI, including ARK operations, Chinese tallow removal, and seagrass habitat research to guide restoration—plus matching support from UT, private donors & Fennessey Ranch. 🌊🌱

How do you study ocean environments that are nearly impossible for humans to reach? By building the technology to go there. 🌊⚙️ In this Q&A, UT alum Chip Breier shares how he's designing autonomous tools that collect critical data. 🔗 Read the full interview:

You know what we DON’T love this Valentine’s Day? 💔 Microplastics on the beach. 🏖️ Fortunately, our colleagues on the main campus, Carlos Baiz and team are working on a solution 💘 Read the story: cns.utexas.edu/news/feature... #UTMSI #Microplastics #TexasScience #Robotics

Even though the temperature feels like summer, our UTMSI Winter 2025 Newsletter is here! ❄️ Check out our 36th issue. 👉 indd.adobe.com/view/c80f982...

Texas scientists are teaming up to protect our changing Texas coast by synthesizing decades of TPWD data on storms, drought, freezes, and fisheries. UTMSI’s Dr. Zhanfei Liu co‑leads this NOAA‑funded effort 👉

New e-book written by @ingridbunholi.bsky.social and colleagues. Fast, practical techniques for species ID 🦈 using DNA/eDNA. “From Sample to Rapid DNA and eDNA Identification – An Easy Step-by-Step Guide” Download here: pt.scribd.com/document/952... #MarineScience #DNA #TexasScience #UTMSI

🌊 Our UTMSI scientists are at the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 2025 Conference, sharing research on coastal ecosystems. We’re proud to be part of this global conversation—and even more excited that Dr. Sharon Herzka, CERF President-Elect, is leading the way!

Stars Over Port A – Benefit for the ARK 🌌 Tomorrow, Nov. 8, 5–7:30 p.m. at the Sip Yard Port Aransas! Enjoy live music, great food (Wok On, Vibe Tacos, Slicee’s), and two drinks with your ticket—all supporting the ARK. Tickets: $60. RSVP: (361) 332-6361 #StarsOverPortA #ARK

We’re Hiring! Small Boat Operator – Port Aransas, TX 🌊🚤 The Small Boat Operator will safely operate and maintain small vessels used in scientific fieldwork—transporting personnel, equipment, and assisting with sampling. Apply now: tinyurl.com/4nkz6crh

You may have noticed a surge in jellyfish lately. While populations appear to be rising, their gelatinous bodies and drifting nature make them notoriously difficult to track. That’s where science steps in. A new instrument on the UTMSI research pier can record smaller stages of jellyfish. 📷 Herzka

Big news! Since 1974, we've been educating K–12 students & visitors. Now, with SEA, we’re expanding our reach with a mobile classroom—bringing ocean learning directly to Coastal Bend schools and festivals. Thank you, SEA, for your continued support and congrats on 25 yrs!

🦈 Fast Solutions for an Urgent Problem - PhD student Ingrid Bunholi's new paper on the use of rapid genetic testing in shark & ray conservation. An e-book is coming soon 👉 utmsi.utexas.edu/fast-solutio... 📷 Erika Beux #Shark #TexasScience #eDNA #UTMSI #Genetics #CaseyLab

In honor of National Campus Safety Awareness Month, we thank the Port Aransas Police, EMS & Fire Dept. for joining us, and Jim Moreno for leading the program. Together, we strengthened campus safety & preparedness. #CampusSafety #CommunityPartners #PortAransas

Bob and Kevin are back in action! Yesterday, a 2nd Sofar buoy "Kevin" was deployed at West Flower Garden Bank by FGBNMS scientists. The Hu Lab will use the data from both Kevin and Bob to monitor the environmental health of the coral reefs.🔹 Meet Kevin: spotters.sofarocean.com/historical/S... #UTMSI

Join researchers from #UTMSI as they capture stunning high-res imagery of plankton using an advanced shadowgraph-based system that continuously collects images of fish larvae, jellies, amphipods, and other planktonic organisms in their natural environment.

🐟🌊 Less than 1% of baby fish survive past the larval stage. PhD student Juan Pablo Lozano-Peña is studying how rock pools at the Port Aransas jetty help them find shelter on their journey to estuaries. Read more: www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/the...

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Caitlin Neill 🌟 Research Tech in the Nielsen Lab, “Drip Master” of Solid Phase Extraction, and lifelong learner. Outside the lab, she enjoys sewing, crocheting, music & softball. If she were a marine organism? A Christmas Tree Worm! 📷: Izzy Nelson #UTMSI #StaffSpotlight

On Aug 22, the GSA hosted the 1st MSI Graduate Student Symposium at the Patton Center with 9 presenters from Integrative Biology & Chemistry. Thanks to the College of Natural Sciences , MSI Director Sharon Herzka, UTMSI GSA & Student Services Budget Committee for support!

In the past year, ARK at UTMSI cared for 1,204 animals — including 574 sea turtles, hundreds of birds, and a few freshwater turtles. 🦅🐢 Sea Turtle Hotline: 1-866-TURTLE5 Bird Hotline: (361) 749-6793 📷 Big Kahunas, a loggerhead sea turtle, released Oct.

Institute Insights: Gaining insight through entrails 🐟🔬 David Malcolm dissects fish guts to study estuarine food webs, revealing how environmental shifts ripple through the food chain—like modern-day haruspicy. www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/gai... 📷: David Malcolm #UTMSI #InstituteInsights

🎓 Big congrats to our newest Master's grad, Kody Barone! His research explored how mangrove dieback from the 2021 freeze impacts blue carbon storage in South Texas marshes—highlighting the resilience of soil carbon in coastal wetlands. #UTMSI #BlueCarbon #Mangroves #TexasScience

Being a scientist has its benefits, especially when it’s 100F+ in Texas. The Nielsen Lab and USGS colleagues are enjoying cooler weather while sampling at Grewingk Glacier in Alaska to learn about the sources, export, fate, and bioavailability of #mercury released by rapidly retreating glaciers.

Science and the Sea: When Hanging Out Takes Work 🐠 Hovering in place isn’t easy—fish can burn twice the energy staying still midwater vs. resting on the bottom! utmsi.utexas.edu/science-and-... 📷 Philippe Bourjon, CC BY-SA 4.0 #ScienceAndTheSea #UTMSI #FishFacts #TexasScience

🎬 Just days away! Join us Friday, Aug 1 | 2–3:30 PM at the Patton Center for a free screening of Our Texas, Our Future, an @HEB docuseries celebrating Texas’ natural beauty. 🌿 Info: utmsi.utexas.edu/event/h-e-b-... #OurTexasOurFuture #HEB #UTMSI #TexasScience

Kelly Dorgan will join UT's cohort for the 2025-2026 Research Leaders Academy. Congrats Kelly! research.utexas.edu/news/new-coh...

❄️ Institute Insights: Arctic lagoons through snow, ice & t-shirt weather? Mathea Kurtz-Shaw shares what it’s like to do fieldwork across 3 extreme Arctic seasons. Read more: www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/bad... #InstituteInsights #UTMSI #ArcticResearch #TexasScience

🎣 Caught a Freckled Guitarfish in the Gulf? Help science! Report your catch & support research on this unique species. Learn how ➡️ utmsi.utexas.edu/assist-scien... #FreckledGuitarfish #UTMSI #CommunityScience #TexasScience

The latest edition of our newsletter is here! 🤿 Dive into updates, behind-the-scenes stories, research discoveries, and the exciting work happening at the UT Marine Science Institute 🔗 indd.adobe.com/view/33a38a8... #Newsletter #MarineScience #TexasScience #UTMSI

From Classroom to Coastline! 🌊🌱Thirteen educators explored coastal science at the July 7–9 TOTE Workshop in Port Aransas, hosted by Mission-Aransas NERR. Hands-on fieldwork and NOAA resources will help them bring estuary science to their classrooms. #TOTEWorkshop #MissionAransasNERR #UTMSI

Science and the Sea: The Not-So-Rare Giant Crustacean 🦐 At over 13", Alicella gigantea is the largest amphipod on Earth—and possibly not as rare as once thought. utmsi.utexas.edu/science-and-... 📷 Alan Jamieson, CC BY-SA 4.0 #ScienceAndTheSea #UTMSI #AlicellaGigantea #TexasScience #DeepSea

Post-Fourth of July Beach Cleanup at Port Aransas South Jetty, July 12, 9 AM–12 PM. Stop by anytime to help keep our coast clean. Supplies provided. Hosted by the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve & UTMSI. Details: www.utmsi.utexas.edu/event/post-fourth-of-july-beach-cleanup/

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Hannah Rempel on receiving a grant from the International Women's Fishing Association Scholarship Trust in support of her research on the impact of pollutants on reef fishes. 🐠 #Congratulations #IWFA #UTMSI #TexasScience

🎬 Join us for Our Texas, Our Future—a free H-E-B docuseries screening celebrating Texas' beauty & conservation heroes! utmsi.utexas.edu/event/h-e-b-... #OurTexasOurFuture #HEB #UTMSI #TexasScience

The campus, including the Patton Center, is closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. We’ll resume normal hours on Saturday, July 5 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Have a safe and happy Fourth! 🇺🇸 #UTMSI #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay #PortAransas

UT Summer Science has concluded after three impactful weeks in Port Aransas. Students engaged in snorkeling, fishing, marine technology, and fieldwork. Thanks to our sponsors and partners! More programs: utmsi.utexas.edu

Staff Spotlight: Maggie Weston 🌟 Maggie is the Education Assistant at the Bay Education Center in Rockport. She leads engaging programs like Science On a Sphere & loves sharing marine science with the next generation. #UTMSI #StaffSpotlight #TexasScience #ScienceEducation

Institute Insights: A vulnerable underwater world Zoe Ruben of MANERR takes us into the field to explore the beauty and fragility of coral reefs—and why their conservation starts with education. www.portasouthjetty.com/articles/a-v... 📷: Keisha Bahr

The Campus, including the Patton Center, is closed in observance of Juneteenth. We'll resume normal hours tomorrow and be open (10am-4pm).

Congrats to grad student Bailey Bonham, winner of UTMSI’s Visualizing Marine Science competition! Her image of Gulf toadfish pigment cells reveals how this predator blends into its reef home. See one up close at the Patton Center! Institute Insights: shorturl.at/uNM69

📢 Patton Center Closure Notice – Updated The Patton Center will be closing early today, Friday, June 13 at 12:00 PM, and will remain closed to the public on Saturday, June 14 for a private event. We will reopen on Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 AM. Thank you for your understanding!

Congrats to Tamara Rivera, PhD student in the Nielsen Lab, on receiving the Marion E. Eason Scholarship to support her mercury research in Kachemak Bay, Alaska! Her work explores climate-driven mercury risks to ecosystems and communities. 📷: Kerri Lynn Ackerly #UTMSI #NielsenLab

Ancient microbes thrive beneath a Swiss spa—unchanged by the seasons. New research with Dr. Mark Lever reveals deep underground life stays stable, even as Alpine waters shift above. utmsi.utexas.edu/deep-microbi... 📸 Lavey-les-Bains

On World Ocean Day, we celebrate the pursuit of knowledge—through science, education, and outreach—that deepens our understanding of ocean and coastal systems. Our mission: to improve understanding of the marine environment through rigorous research. 🌍🌊 #WorldOceanDay #UTMSI #TexasScience

🪸 New research from @gobyone.bsky.social challenges the idea that coral reefs are "oases" in marine deserts. While reefs are indeed among the most productive ecosystems in the world, their existence in nutrient-deprived oceans is the exception rather than the rule utmsi.utexas.edu/coral-oases/