UNC Institute of Marine Sciences uses coast as their outside laboratory

Faculty, students and community members held a community open house on Saturday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences.

The Institute of Marine Sciences is a research and educational unit of UNC in Morehead City that offers cutting-edge marine sciences research opportunities for UNC professors and students. 

Rick Luettich, director of the institute, said the proximity of the institute to the coast and coastal waters is very important for the 75 ongoing research projects. 

“We are in a special place," Luettich said. "In many cases I think of laboratories and research on campus – on campus we have buildings, and we have a laboratory inside the buildings. Here at the coast, we kind of have our giant laboratory – which is the coast and the coastal waters, and we have a building that is inside our laboratory. It’s a bit inside out – a very kind of special arrangement.” 

Michael Piehler, professor of coastal ecology and biogeochemistry at the institute, said living on the coast allows faculty to gain a different perspective and serve North Carolina by better communicating with their community about sustainable ways of living.

“Our researchers work all over the globe, but at the beginning of the day, our focus is on the coast of North Carolina,” Piehler said. “I think we’ve managed to remain relevant in the scientific world – which means that you have to do cutting-edge research – and also serve the state of North Carolina well.”

The innovative research that takes place at the institute covers a large range of subjects within marine sciences, and offers semester-long field studies in those areas for students. 

Peggy Mullin, current field site student at the institute, said the institute helps produce interesting collaboration and research by bringing together the best faculty from many fields. 

“It’s just a really nice environment because you have a lot of experienced professors and experienced faculty members that are there to consult about research throughout the semester,” Mullin said.

Rachel Noble, professor of marine ecology and water quality, said the research helps provide answers to increasing concerns over issues, such as the quality of water, as the coast is growing and developing. 

“We have the ability to be responsive. We have a framework and decades of coastal research,” Noble said. “So I think our value comes from the fact that when things arise – new pathogens, new risks to people, new storms and types of hurricanes – we can actually respond to the situation because we have a framework and a knowledge of our local system that really can’t be surpassed.” 

Luettich said he hopes the community open house will make community members excited about the research being done at the Institute. 

“I think a lot of people in this area, I think understand a lot about what makes this area special, but they may not realize how much work is going on here and how many people here are committed to trying to sustain this and keep it for future generations,” Luettich said. 

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