Researchers Study Fisheries, Human Health and More
Published Oct 07, 2008
Miranda Lopez examines collected sea life as part of a project at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.
While the Coastal Bend may conjure up thoughts of oceanfront vacations, it is also a haven for scientists whose work today may pave the way for a brighter tomorrow, locally and worldwide.
Living along the water provides ample research opportunities for scientists such as Greg Stunz of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. Stunz’ work focuses on marine fisheries and ecology, including how aquatic habitat can affect ocean and human health.
In addition to the biological implications, the health of the seas has far-reaching economic implications, Stunz notes. Ongoing research is a way to ensure sustainability of marine resources.
Stunz’ current work includes studying declining shark populations. His team is combing through news coverage of fishing tournaments as well as looking at how sharks use the waters off Padre Island National Seashore. High-tech tools such as popup archival tags also aid research. The tags, attached to sharks, later release, float to the surface and transmit a data-filled e-mail about the shark’s movements.
Stunz’ lab, which employs nine of the 51 people working at the Harte Research Institute, obtains its primary funding from the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; it also receives local and state funding for sport fishing research and fisheries studies.
“We’re working to ensure the long-term sustainability of the coastal economy,” Stunz says. “In the Coastal Bend, we’re all directly tied to the oceans.”
In Port Aransas, the University of Texas Marine Science Institute - the oldest marine research station on the Texas Gulf Coast - is studying marine plants and animals, including threatened or endangered species.
Waste Into Energy
Trash is research treasure for environmental engineering students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
The National Science Foundation in 2008 renewed the department’s five-year, $5 million grant, one-third of which is dedicated to researching how technology can turn waste matter into bioenergy.
“We have a couple of main projects along those lines,” says environmental engineering department chair Kim Jones. “One of those is taking citrus waste - the pulp left over after you make juice - and turning it into bioethanol. We also have a project working on technology to turn waste algae into biodiesel. Then, we’re working with the cities of Dallas and Denton on bioreactor landfills, which turn garbage into methane.”
Research projects not only give students real-world experience, they also help the area grow by attracting industry-related professionals and students, Jones says.
“Sustainability, water conservation, agriculture, urban growth - these are all fruitful areas for research,” he adds.
The environmental engineering department has eight professors and eight staff members; the latter group includes a research scientist and a laboratory manager.
Venom Into Medicine
Elsewhere at TAMU-Kingsville, the Natural Toxins Research Center continues to explore how snake venom can be used to treat human medical problems.
The center, which houses poisonous snakes from across the nation as well as countries including China, Thailand and Vietnam, has enjoyed continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health. It is something of a media darling, having been featured in various reports including a spring 2008 segment on the History Channel.
“Snake venom is a complex mix of thousands of molecules,” says John C. Perez, the center’s director. “We still don’t know everything about it.”
Some animals have a natural resistance to snake venom while others bleed to death or experience nervous system disturbances, leading the center to study how venom might be used in medical research.
“If (humans) have a clot in the brain or a heart attack, those molecules could have potential to help,” Dr. Perez says.
A $2 million serpentarium is in the works, with a target completion date of January 2009. The center is currently housed in a former dormitory, covering 6,300 square feet.
“A research program this size in a community as small as Kingsville has a substantial effect,” Perez says. “A larger program could have an even bigger effect, with more people wanting to come here to study.”
Photo by Jesse Knish
Current Weather Conditions In Corpus Christi, TX (78403)
Fair, and 73 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
