Marine Science Research Institute

Worms. Who knew that worms could create such a discussion when they suddenly appeared in the St. Johns River last month. But that was the case a few weeks ago, when my friend Jeff Lageman, former Jaguar outstanding defensive end …

In November, Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute and JAXPORT launched the Connected initiative, aimed at advancing the vitality of the St. Johns River through education. This series will highlight the work of Jacksonville University’s Connected team, and how they …

The St. Johns River is the acknowledged heart of northeast Florida, essential to both our environment and our economy. Efforts to maintain it in as a clean and productive waterway are generally understood as being both appropriate and necessary. So …

It’s not every day that Jacksonville University is able to help solve a decades-old mystery that unfolded thousands of feet below the sea, but Jacksonville University graduate student Mackenzie Horton has been hard at work uncovering the fate of the …

With small artificial reefs in hand, Biology Professor Dr. Dan McCarthy and his students waded through the tall grassy banks and into the St. Johns River just outside the Marine Science Research Institute. 

As Dr. McCarthy supervised, marine science students …

Our charismatic megafauna, the manatee, which is also the Florida state mammal, is in trouble, again. The manatee, or sea cow, is that large, so-ugly-it-is-cute, aquatic plant-eating, gentle giant that can weigh 1,000 pounds or more. Maintaining that size and …

Last month’s column was part of a question posed on my final exam in The Ecology of the St. Johns River course. The student’s contribution was well received with a number of favorable reviews. So, I thought I would use …

Utilizing an unprecedented data set, Jacksonville University Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Bryan Franks published a comprehensive study in the Frontiers in Marine Science journal in November on the movement and migration habits of great white sharks in the Western …

This past semester we offered a course at Jacksonville University entitled “Ecology of the St. Johns River.” It was mentioned in last month’s column. As part of their final exam, I had them review some past River Life columns and …

As part of a shared commitment to advance the health and vitality of the St. Johns River, Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute (MSRI) and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) are partnering to launch an educational initiative called Connected, …