A $500,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
will spur investigation of how oceans affect human health by allowing a
consortium between University of Connecticut and the Mystic Aquarium and
Institute for Exploration to hire post-doctoral fellows to assist with
research.
The consortium, which also includes the NOAA laboratory
in Milford, will hire three post-doctoral fellows and one graduate student to
help with researching topics, such as marine pathogens and disease, new
pollutants and harmful algal blooms.
J. Evan Ward, associate professor
of marine sciences at UConn’s Avery Point campus in Groton, said he hopes the
additional manpower will help the consortium to apply for additional funding or
research materials from state and federal organizations.
“The grant
enables us to have a focal point,” Ward said.
Tracy Romano, senior vice
president of research and zoological operations at Mystic Aquarium, said she
hopes one of the post-doctoral fellows will come to the aquarium to contribute
to its research on marine health and its impact on people.
“This award,
in collaboration with our partners, enables us to continue our important
research on aquatic animal health, as well as focusing on the marine environment
and its impact on human health,” Romano said. “In the process, we’re also
training scientists for the future.”
Reach Marisa Maldonado at
425-4255 or mmaldonado@norwichbulletin.com
| A $500,000 grant recently was received by a consortium among the University of Connecticut, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The grant will be used to hire four fellows to assist with the consortium’s research of marine pathogens and disease, new pollutants and harmful algae blooms. |
