Vice President for Research Shashank Priya and Assistant Vice President for Research Kimberly Kirkpatrick met with Minnesota Sea Grant and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) staff, including Director of NOAA Research Steve Thur. This gathering was an opportunity to highlight some of the important work being conducted by Minnesota Sea Grant, which is part of a national network of 24 university-based programs funded by the NOAA.
Minnesota Sea Grant focuses on water policy, water science, and preparing the Great Lakes for climate change issues, which leads to exciting projects, including collaborative work being done with partners throughout the University to remove PFAS, mercury, and other chemicals from water. Minnesota Sea Grant is also collaborating with ATP-Bio on the cryopreservation of eggs from aquaculture species, which could improve the state’s aquaculture industry and help protect Minnesota species against unexpected disease, reproductive failures, and invasive species. Additionally, Minnesota Sea Grant is partnering with the Institute on the Environment on other ways to reduce the impact of invasive species.
Due to these concurrent efforts, it’s only fitting that Minnesota Sea Grant holds the highest publication rate among US sea grants. The program also provides critical graduate education, currently supporting 30 students.