Through funding from the NOAA Sea Grant College Program, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is investing $788,000 in seven research projects that address environmental and economic challenges while advancing coastal research in Georgia.
The projects were selected through Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s biennial research competition, which supports two‑year, applied research efforts aligned with the program’s strategic plan and coastal needs identified by stakeholders. Proposals underwent a competitive peer‑review process involving scientific experts, state and local resource managers, and other coastal community members.
Collectively, the funded projects will advance the understanding, management, and strategic use of Georgia’s coastal and marine resources. Academic researchers will work in collaboration with extension specialists, community partners, educators, and decision‑makers to ensure that research outcomes are responsive to coastal management needs and accessible to communities.
The 2026 research awards support investigators from Georgia Southern University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Savannah State University. Matching funds from participating universities increases the total research investment to more than $1.2 million.
The projects are:
- Examining the role of shellfish aquaculture gear as fish habitat
John Carroll and Steve Vives, Georgia Southern University
This research will evaluate the extent to which oyster aquaculture gear commonly used in Georgia provides habitat for economically and ecologically important fisheries species. By assessing the ecosystem service value of aquaculture infrastructure, the project will inform sustainable aquaculture practices and coastal fisheries management. - Probiotics for plants
Joel Kostka, Georgia Tech
This project will look at how locally sourced Spartina seeds and beneficial root‑associated microbes can be used to improve the growth, stress tolerance, and overall success of Spartina plants used in marsh restoration. By cultivating nursery‑grown plants from multiple local populations, developing native microbial bioinocula, and testing plant performance in greenhouse and pilot field trials, the research aims to identify practical approaches for strengthening marsh restoration outcomes. - Protecting barrier island pollinators from effects of development and temperature variability
Isaac Park, Georgia Southern University
This project will examine how coastal development and changing temperatures affect the availability of flowers that native bees rely on for food in Georgia’s coastal communities. Using Tybee Island as a case study, the work will combine community education, participatory science, and ecological analysis to inform land‑use and planting practices that better support pollinators and healthy coastal ecosystems. - Southeastern community hub for optimizing resilience
Alexander Robel, Georgia Tech
This project is designed to support community‑led flood resilience planning in Pin Point, Georgia. Working closely with community partners, the project will produce transparent, high‑resolution flood risk projections and empower residents to evaluate and select flood mitigation strategies that protect assets identified as local priorities. - Inland rural coastal resilience: Municipal planning for resilient communities and economies
Helen Rosko, Georgia Southern University
This project will develop a community‑driven vulnerability assessment to support resilience planning in Statesboro, Georgia. By integrating social and environmental risks and working closely with residents and local decision‑makers, the project will inform resilience strategies and provide a transferable model for similar inland coastal communities. - Optimization of algal turf scrubbers in recirculating systems for the production of oyster (Crassostrea virginica) hatchery seed
Anthony Siccardi, Georgia Southern University
This project will test the use of algal turf scrubber systems in oyster hatchery operations to improve water quality while producing algae that can be reused as supplemental oyster feed. The project aims to reduce excess nutrients, increase oxygen levels, lower harmful microbes, and improve oyster growth and survival, supporting more sustainable and cost‑effective oyster aquaculture in Georgia. - Data science for marine resources: A computational training pipeline to support student achievement and coastal research
Laura Treible, Savannah State University
This project will build data and computing skills for undergraduate students through hands‑on analysis of real‑world coastal and ocean datasets. Materials will be used to train undergraduate interns from Savannah State University, University of Georgia, and College of Coastal Georgia, strengthening data literacy and workforce preparation across partner institutions.
Funding for Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s biennial research competition is supported by the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program. Additional information can be found at https://gacoast.uga.edu/biennial-funding/.
