Scientists Embark on Research Cruises

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Scientists Embark on Research Cruises

July 10, 2002

Media Contact: Lisa Young
251/861-7509

Two Dauphin Island Sea Lab oceanographers are embarking on separate research cruises on
July 17. The separate and distinct nature of their research efforts reflects the diversity of
marine science conducted at the Sea Lab.

Dr. Monty Graham and his team of researchers will be cruising the Northern Gulf of
Mexico aboard the R/V Walton Smith conducting studies on the growth, reproduction and
feeding habits of jellyfish. They will complement their research efforts with Dr. Graham¹s
Science Education at Sea (SEAS) Program, which brings students and educators aboard the
cruise to learn the field component of marine science research.

The two high school students accompanying Dr. Graham¹s team on this trip will be Elizabeth
Funk, a sophomore at Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis, MS, and Emily Brunson, a
sophomore at Theodore High School in Mobile, AL. Both are looking forward to their
adventures at sea in Project SEAS. The cruise will be departing July 17 and returning July
31 from Dauphin Island, AL.

If you are a high school student or teacher interested in joining the next Project SEAS cruise,
check out the website at http://www.seasproject.org, or call Heather Fletcher at
251/861-7547. The next cruise departs August 15.

Dr. William Schroeder will be aboard the Navy nuclear submarine NR-1, a 135¹research
vessel. He will be mapping deep sea corals 500 meters below the surface of the water. This
coral community, due south of Dauphin Island, appears to colonize on carbonate material
associated with areas of active hydrocarbon seepage.

The NR-1 will depart Pensacola on July 17 and will emerge July 21.