CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has received a $1.5 million endowment to support teaching and research fellowships for scientists from Mexico and Cuba.

The Furgason Fellowships, named in honor of retiring HRI Executive Director Robert Furgason, were made possible by a pledge of $1.5 million from the families of philanthropist Edward Harte and local attorney Jonathan Hornblower. The endowment will support teaching and research fellowships for guest scientists from Mexico and Cuba.

Currently, Drs. Jorge Brenner-Guillermo and Ivonne Cruz, post-doctoral students from Mexico, are working with HRI researchers on programs and issues of common interest to Mexico and the United States. Through the fellowship program, other scientists from Mexico and Cuba will be selected for Furgason Fellowships in the future.

All the countries that depend on the Gulf of Mexico must work together to assure the long-term economic and ecological sustainability of the region,” said University President Flavius Killebrew. “These generous fellowships from the Harte and Hornblower families are a major step forward in our goal to erase all boundaries and work together to better manage this vital asset for today and tomorrow.”

The Harte Research Institute was created in 2000 to encourage a tri-lateral approach to understanding and protecting the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystem which are a vital component of all three nations’ economies. HRI promotes excellence and innovation in interdisciplinary scientific research, public policy initiatives, and education of the public.

“This program is a way to foster cooperation, collegiality, and collaboration among the marine scientists in the nations around the Gulf of Mexico,” said Harte, whose $46 million endowment made the HRI possible. “None of science institutes from the United States, Cuba and Mexico can make much difference operating, but together all three countries can address the critical problems related to the Gulf and together seek appropriate solutions.”
           
According to Furgason, there are very few organizations like the HRI dealing with large bodies of water like the Gulf of Mexico on a multi-national basis. “The joint projects between scientists and researchers from our three countries will build lasting relationships that will benefit the peoples and economies of the region now and in the future,” he said.