News & Events

Two students sitting next to a rapidly moving river in Alaska with mountains in the background

Grad student on boat wearing life preserver and headset stares off into the ocean

Dr. Lehrter taking data in the stream with graduate student Chris

We Explore. We investigate. We Find Answers.

Teaching the next generation of marine and environmental scientists is our mission. Through experiential learning, our students gain knowledge. Find out what our students are doing and join us in celebrating their successes.

Latest News

Upcoming Events:

April

Informational Session Professional Master's Graduate Programs Wednesday April 22, 2026- 6:00 PM

Please join us on Wednesday, April 22 in the Gulf and Coastal Sciences Building, formerly the Education and Outreach Building, classroom 101 at 6:00pm for pizza and a Q&A session with SSoMES faculty program coordinators.

April

Earth Day
Wednesday April 22,2026- ALL DAY

Stay Tuned as we begin to plan Earth Day Activities

April

Kayak Trip Friday April 24, 2026 2:00

Daytime kayak trip at Memories Fish Camp. The trip will allow you to paddle on Fowl River for approximately 1.5 hours.

Please visit Campus Recreation Portal

April

Graduation Cords

Swing by the MacQueen Alumni Center starting April 27 to pick up your complimentary graduation cord! They are open weekdays, 9 AM – 4 PM.

April

Grad Photo Op

Grad Photo Op: Head over to the Student Center Mall for our brand-new grad photo op. Don't forget to tag us, we can't wait to feature you!

you can stop by between April 27 and May 8

April

Honors Defense
Thursday April 30,2026 9:00am

Join us in EOB 260 as one of our Honors Undergraduate Students presents their defense.

May

Kayak Trip Friday May 1, 2026 6:00PM

Full Moon kayak at Chickasaw Creek. We will start before sunset and finish under the full moon.

Please Visit Campus Recreation Portal

▼ Student Spotlight

Congratulations to Aaron Bland who successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation!

Aaron Bland upcoming Ph.D recently submitted and defended his dissertation titled "Ecological responses to living shoreline restoration."

Congratulations to Bria Alford on being awarded the 2026 Senior Medallion Award at the University of South Alabama. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding graduating seniors for excellence in leadership, campus involvement, and service, representing the highest level of student achievement in engagement.

A senior majoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability, Bria has made a lasting impact through her leadership across campus. She serves as chapter president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and is actively involved in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the Geology Club. She has also held leadership roles within the Student Government Association and Jaguar Productions.

Bria currently serves as a student assistant for the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences and has completed two summer internships in environmental health and safety. Her dedication to leadership and service continues to make a meaningful difference at South.

▼ Faculty Spotlight

We proudly congratulate Dr. Ruth Carmichael, selected as the 2026 Plenary Speaker for the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB). This prestigious recognition is a testament to her outstanding contributions and leadership in the field.

We proudly congratulate Dr. Amy Sprinkle on receiving the Teaching Excellence Award at the College of Arts and Sciences 39th Annual Dean's Lecture and Faculty Awards Ceremony. This honor reflects her unwavering dedication to student success and her outstanding contributions to academic excellence.

We proudly congratulate Dr. Jeffrey Krause, the 2025 recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award. This distinguished honor celebrates Dr. Krause’s exceptional commitment to guiding and supporting graduate students, fostering academic growth, and inspiring future scholars.

▼ Publications and TV appearances

Congratulations to Dr. Gabriel de Oliveira on Three October Publications!

We proudly celebrate Dr. Gabriel de Oliveira’s outstanding achievement of publishing three scholarly works during the month of October. This accomplishment reflects a continued commitment to research excellence and academic impact.

Published Works: