News
September 30, 2026
We had a wonderful time at the College, Career, and Military Readiness Fair at Mireles Elementary! Our staff had the opportunity to connect with students from Pre-K through 5th grade and introduce them to the exciting world of science and careers in STEM. We shared plant presses, hands-on activities, and lots of information about what it’s like to have a career as a scientist. Thank you, Mireles Elementary, for inviting us to be part of this fantastic outreach event!
September 4, 2026
Congratulations to Ashley Peterson on being selected as a member of the inaugural 2026–2027 REACH Scholars cohort at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi! REACH, Research Excellence, Advancement, Communication, and Horizons, is a year-long student research development program designed to strengthen research, scholarship, creative activity, communication, and professional skills. As a founding REACH Scholar, Ashley will join an interdisciplinary cohort of students throughout the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters, building connections and preparing for future academic, professional, and leadership opportunities. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and excited to see all that Ashley will accomplish as part of the inaugural REACH Scholars community!
September 2, 2026
Three of our Center for Coastal Studies’ graduate students have been awarded a NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME-II) scholarship. They will begin January 1, 2027. The scholarship provides a graduate research assistantship salary + scholarship, benefits, tuition, research support, conference travel funds, and an all-expenses-paid internship at a NOAA facility. Students included are Emily Letner (2027 M.S. MARB), Marissa Spinelli (2027 M.S. ESCI), and Annika Gorman (2027 M.S. ESCI).
August 26, 2026
This year the Center for Coastal Studies hosted our first ever summer camps. Throughout the summer, our campers had the opportunity to explore and engage with coastal science. They downloaded and listened to sounds from AudioMoths, practiced bird identification and bird watching, visited PINS to learn about sea turtle conservation, participated in a beach cleanup, and shared what they learned through their own presentations. We are proud of everything our campers accomplished and grateful to everyone who helped make our first year of summer camps a success.
This is just the beginning. Keep an eye out for more programs, opportunities, and adventures to come!
August 11, 2026
Our team attended the 2026 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah! This year, Dr. Battaglia was joined by Brenna Edwards, Marissa Spinelli, and Lucas Pender, who had the opportunity to share their research and connect with scientists and students from across the ecological community. We’re excited to see our students represent the Center for Coastal Studies, showcase the work they’ve been doing, and be part of conversations that continue to shape the field of ecology. We’re incredibly proud of them and grateful for everyone who helps make these experiences possible!
July 14, 2026
This summer, the Center for Coastal Studies traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for the 2026 Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting! Our graduate students Ashley Peterson, Lucas Pender, Emily Letner, Brenna Edwards, and Annika Gorman presented their research during the poster session. Marissa Spinelli delivered two oral presentations: one on the integration of art in science and Schinus invasion of spoil islands. Dr. Loretta Battaglia also gave an oral presentation highlighting biodiversity in mangrove ecosystems of The Gambia. Congratulations to everyone who represented the Center for Coastal Studies and shared their research with the wetland science community!
June 30, 2026
Our students Marissa Spinelli, Brenna Edwards, and Emily Letner recently attended the 16th Annual Texas Bays & Estuaries Meeting hosted by the University of Texas Marine Science Institute! TBEM brings together scientists, students, and environmental professionals from across the state to share research, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaborations focused on protecting Texas coastal ecosystems. We are proud to see our students representing the Center and engaging with the broader coastal science community.
June 5, 2026
Our staff and graduate students had an amazing time visiting with students and sharing some of the research happening here at the Center for Coastal Studies. Brenna Edwards spoke about invasive species and the impact they can have on wetland ecosystems. Ashley Peterson shared her work on fiddler crabs and greenhouse gases. Mario De Leon talked with students about why wetlands matter, especially the coastal wetlands we have right here in our own communities. Thank you to Hamlin Middle School for having us. We always enjoy opportunities to help inspire future scientists and to explore the importance of protecting our coastal environments.
May 18, 2026
Congratulations Mario and Sara on your recognition at the TAMUCC Islander 2026 Awards Ceremony! Mario received the Islander Engagement Award, and Sara was honored with her 20-year Service Award. We are so grateful for your dedication, hard work, and everything you do for the Center!
May 14, 2026
Please join us in congratulating Olivia Hughes on an incredible achievement! Olivia, a recently graduated M.S. student in Marine Biology, presented her research on sessile invertebrate community composition at last year’s Society of Wetland Scientists conference and will now be recognized with the Best Oral Presentation Award at this year’s conference! We are so proud to see Olivia’s hard work, dedication, and research excellence recognized by the wetland science community.
May 12, 2026
Our students participated in the 2026 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities (SSIRCA)! Ashley Peterson, Annika Gorman, and Lucas Pender represented our team, The Center for Coastal Studies, by sharing their research through poster presentations alongside fellow students from across campus. SSIRCA is an annual event that highlights the wide range of scholarly and creative work being done by students, offering a space to share ideas, discuss findings, and engage with the university community. It was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and contribute to the growing body of research happening right here on campus.
May 8, 2026
We’re proud to celebrate one of our outstanding M.S. students, Marissa Spinelli, for being selected as one of just four recipients of this year’s Hoekje scholarship! Through her research and dedication, she continues to make meaningful contributions to coastal science while representing our program with excellence. From long hours in the field to confident presentations, her journey reflects the hard work that drives impactful research.
April 29, 2026
We had an amazing time at Earth Day–Bay Day 2026 in Corpus Christi! Our team loved getting out into the community to share our plant presses and connect with people about the importance of preserving coastal plant biodiversity. We spent the day showing how plant presses can be used, answering questions, and having great conversations about local ecosystems and conservation. It was inspiring to see so much curiosity and enthusiasm from the community! Thank you to everyone who stopped by, chatted with us, and took a plant press home.
April 23, 2026
We had an incredible time at the 2026 Research & Innovation Showcase! Our lab was excited to share how we’re using AI-powered tools like Arbimon alongside our AudioMoth and HydroMoth technology to study biodiversity in new and innovative ways. From capturing soundscapes in coastal environments to analyzing species presence through artificial intelligence, our projects highlight how tech and ecology can come together to drive meaningful research. It was inspiring to connect with students, faculty, and staff and be part of a campus wide conversation on the future of AI in research, education, and beyond.
April 15, 2026
We had a fantastic time at the Career & Hobby Expo at Camp Karankawa! Scouts dropped in throughout the day to explore coastal science through interactive displays, hands-on activities, and conversations about the plants and ecosystems that shape our shoreline. Our graduate students loved sharing their research and talking with curious minds about real world science happening right here along the coast. From plant science to fieldwork stories, there was something for everyone to discover!
April 2, 2026
We were excited to host students from The Evergreen State College Lab at our Laguna Madre Field Station (LMFS) for a week in March! These students are part of a class entitled “Conservation Biology and Ecology from the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf Coast”. Evergreen students immersed themselves in field research while collaborating with our Center for Coastal Studies graduate students and staff, brainstorming new project ideas, and sharing insights. During their stay, the students also conducted their own research projects with their professors, Dr. Alison Styring and Dr. Dylan Fisher.
February 19, 2026
We are pleased to recognize graduate student Brenna Edwards. Brenna has been selected as a recipient of the NOAA Graduate Fellowship – Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME-II). She is a NOAA CCME-II Scholar (Cohort 5) and a master’s student in Environmental Science here at the Center for Coastal Studies. Her research focuses on the effects of invasive wild pig disturbance on native freshwater wetland vegetation and ecosystem recovery. By integrating field-based vegetation surveys, remote-triggered camera systems, and fecal DNA metabarcoding, Brenna’s work supports science based management and conservation of interconnected wetland and coastal systems. NOAA CCME-II scholars, in collaboration with NOAA CCME-II faculty and NOAA scientists, conduct research impactful to US coastal communities and furthering the NOAA mission. The Center is supported by cooperative agreement #NA21SEC480004 from NOAA EPP/MSI. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of NOAA. Warm congratulations to Brenna on this well-earned achievement and the important work she continues to do.
January 8, 2026
We had a great time at the CCISD STEM Expo & Science Fair Awards! Students and families stopped by our booth to create their own plant presses to take home, learning how scientists preserve plants while exploring the world of coastal ecology in a hands-on way. Thank you to Corpus Christi ISD for inviting us to be part of such an inspiring evening celebrating innovation and student achievement.
November 25, 2025
Thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our expedition in The Gambia as part of InsideNatGeo and Rolex #PerpetualPlanet Ocean Expeditions. Our collaborative team, including Professor Kam Tang, Professor Loretta Battaglia, and M.S. student Emily Letner, gathered crucial data on biodiversity from the Gambian mangroves. This work is essential to better protect, conserve, and advance knowledge of this vital ecosystem!
November 19, 2025
We loved having these bright 7th-graders from Saint John Paul II Middle School and their two amazing teachers join us for a day of hands-on discovery! From creating their own plant presses, to birdwatching around campus, to diving into fun educational games, these students got a closer look at the science happening right here at TAMUCC’s Center for Coastal Studies.
November 6, 2025
Mary Mattingly, one of our 2024 Artists in Residence, gave a talk about her art and experiences on the Laguna Madre this morning at the Art Center of Corpus Christi. Mary’s exhibit, inspired by Laguna Madre and all her beauty, opened this afternoon at 5:30 pm! The exhibit will be on display for awhile, so if you can’t make it this week, there is plenty of time to see it. Afterwards, the exhibit will move to TAMUCC’s library and be on display for several weeks.
October 14, 2025
Last week, our team had the incredible opportunity to visit Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois! We were warmly welcomed by Dr. Pamela Weisenhorn for two days of engaging discussions around our ongoing research with Argonne scientists. Dr. Loretta Battaglia, along with students Ashley Peterson, Annika Gorman, and Lucas Pender, shared ideas with the Argonne team. We toured the biogeochemistry labs and the world-renowned Advanced Photon Source (APS). We extend our sincere thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy for funding, Argonne National Laboratory for hosting us, and the dedicated scientists who made this inspiring visit possible.
September 25, 2025
Our most recent Artist in Residence, Lauren Boilini, has completed her stay at the Laguna Madre Field Station! Her time at Laguna Madre will come to life in a 2026 exhibit at the Art Center of Corpus Christi, and subsequently at TAMUCC’s Mary and Jeff Bell Library. We’re honored to continue this inspiring partnership and can’t wait to share what’s next. Thank you to the Kleberg Foundation for funding.
September 16, 2025
The Center for Coastal Studies recently co-hosted the K-9 Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique course training that equips researchers, land managers, and partners with the latest oil spill detection and cleanup tools. Thanks to support from the Texas General Land Office, this collaboration with Chiron K-9, Owens Coastal Consulting, and TAMU-CC’s National Spill Control School is all about blending canine skills with technological innovations to boost our environmental response game.
September 2, 2025
We loved having the Kolda Cadets join us at the Laguna Madre Field Station for a day of coastal adventures! Seeing the nekton sled, getting creative with plant pressing and birdwatching, these students got a real taste of the Gulf’s rich ecosystems.
August 25, 2025
This August, the Center for Coastal Studies traveled to Baltimore, Maryland for the 2025 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meeting! Our director, Dr. Battaglia, joined Brenna Edwards, Marissa Spinelli, and Peyton Calderon at the conference, where our team proudly presented their research during the poster presentation sessions. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with ecologists from around the world and share the important work happening at our center.
August 19, 2025
A huge congratulations to Peyton Calderon on graduating with her M.S. in Biology. Your hard work, dedication, and passion are inspiring. The Center for Coastal Studies is so proud of you! Here’s to all the exciting journeys ahead!
August 1, 2025
This summer, the Center for Coastal Studies traveled to Providence, Rhode Island for the 2025 Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting! Olivia Hughes gave an outstanding oral presentation, while Brenna Edwards, Emily Letner, Marissa Spinelli, and Peyton Calderon proudly represented our team during the poster session. We had an incredible time sharing our work, reconnecting with familiar faces, and building new connections across the wetland science community.
July 8, 2025
Huge congratulations to Peyton Calderon for successfully defending her thesis, “Soil Microarthropod Distribution in South Texas Coastal Wetlands.”
June 24, 2025
We had a blast hosting Dallas Zion at the Laguna Madre Field Station. From birding and plant pressing to exploring marine life with the nekton sled, it was a day full of hands-on learning and discovery!
June 17, 2025
We’re thrilled to share that the Center for Coastal Studies was invited to Lake Erie to collaborate with researchers at the University of Toledo on their exciting new COMPASS project—Coastal Observations, Mechanisms, and Predictions Across Systems and Scales. The research is taking place in the beautiful Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Our director, Dr. Battaglia, along with our amazing graduate students—Peyton Calderon, Brenna Edwards, Marissa Spinelli, Olivia Hughes, and Emily Letner—jumped right in to support the early stages of experimental design and setup. The team deployed research plots and conducted tree inventories to help provide early insights into this dynamic coastal landscape. This important work is made possible through our collaboration with the University of Toledo, with generous support from the Department of Energy.
June 10, 2025
Our new Artist in Residence, Cecilia Sierra, arrived at the Laguna Madre Field Station. We are thrilled to welcome Cecilia and can’t wait to see how this stunning landscape/waterscape inspires her future work.
April 16, 2025
The Center for Coastal Studies had an incredible time at the 26th Annual Earth Day Bay Day Festival, hosted by the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation! We were thrilled to connect with over 650 community members as we pressed plants, tested local knowledge on coastal wetlands, and shared the wonders of our unique Laguna Madre system.
April 9, 2025
The Center for Coastal Studies participated in the Research and Innovation Month Showcase at TAMU-CC, an event celebrating the groundbreaking research and innovation happening across campus! Our students, staff, and researchers came together to highlight the exciting work being done at the center.
March 25, 2025
Over spring break, the Center for Coastal Studies visited the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. Our director, Dr. Battaglia, along with students Peyton Calderon and Brenna Edwards, presented their ongoing research to PNNL scientists.
March 18, 2025
We had an amazing time hosting students and faculty Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) at our Laguna Madre Field Station! They explored the area, went birding, and took in the stunning scenery of the Texas Coast
February 14, 2025
The Center for Coastal Studies was honored to participate in the 2025 Coastal Bend Women in Industry Career & Education Expo, engaging with high school students and Coastal Bend professionals in career exploration and workforce development.
December 12, 2024
Incredible graduate students, Peyton Calderon and Brenna Edwards, represented us at the Gulf Estuarine Research Society (GERS) Biennial Meeting in Fairhope, Alabama. They were accompanied by Max Portmann and Jacob Doty from the Proffitt/Devlin lab. The group delved into coastal ecosystems, connected with fellow researchers, and showcased their own innovative projects.
November 13, 2024
CCS had an amazing time hosting the 9th Annual Shrimp Boil at our beautiful Laguna Madre Field Station! Huge thanks to the TAMU-CC College of Science faculty, staff, and everyone who brought this event to life.
November 1, 2024
Our team embarked on a journey through Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois! Dr. Loretta Battaglia, Dr. Lin Zhang, and students Max Portmann, Garrett Guzoski, Peyton Calderon, and Marissa Spinelli presented their ongoing research to Argonne scientists. This experience provided our team with an immersive, hands-on perspective on the future of science and technology, inspired many new ideas and fostered enthusiasm for groundbreaking national-level research.
September 24, 2024
Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques K-9 Course! This project is funded by the Texas GLO and is a collaboration between the Center for Coastal Studies, National Oil Spill School, Chiron K-9 and Owens Consulting.
September 23, 2024
Our new Artist in Residence, Mary Mattingly, went on her way to the Laguna Madre Field Station.
August 21, 2024
The Battaglia Lab went to Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Alabama! On this trip, Brenna Edwards (Graduate student), Peyton Calderon (Graduate student), and Marissa Spinelli (Undergraduate student) assisted Battaglia with locating and staking her forty 100m2 permanent plots (no small feat after the recent fire destroyed the original plot markers) and surveying plant communities.
July 26, 2024
Students from Dr. Battaglia’s Wetland Ecology Lab and Dr. Zhang’s Isotope Core Lab in the Center for Coastal Studies had the opportunity to experience the world of “big science” with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), Argonne National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers. During the week-long field trip, the TAMUCC group was treated to a tour of the SERC facilities and daily presentations about coastal ecology and the project background.
November 17, 2022
Congratulations to Center Affiliate Dr. Jeff Turner and the rest of his team on the new EPA-funded Baffin Bay project!! Our own Erin Hill is working closely with Ana Garcia, Director of the Voices of The Colonias, to engage with residents on important water quality issues that affect their communities. See link below for more details.
July 26, 2022
Aaron Baxter was interviewed by the local news for his K9 oil spill detection efforts on the Island through a project entitled "Development of oil-specific canine capability to differentiate between background and newly deposited oils on the Texas coast"! The video clip can be accessed here.
July 21, 2022
Our Director, Dr. Loretta Battaglia, and Dr. Lin Zhang (PENS) were recently awarded a U.S. Department of Energy grant entitled "Connecting the Texas Gulf Coast with compass to build research opportunities and career bridges for an underserved community".
June 28, 2022
Bobby, Juliana and Camille went boating today to collect samples! Dead sea grass clogging the tell-tale along with low seasonal tides forced them to end their trip early, since the boat motor kept overheating. Luckily they were still able to collect a few wrack samples at the Laguna Madre Field Station.
June 1, 2022
Erin, Camille and Juliana were out at the Padre Island National Seashore today to sample vernal ponds for branchiopods. Unfortunately, the pools had already dried out from the rain event 6 days ago! They made the most of the beautiful weather anyway!
May 18, 2022
Camille and Juliana (Master's students in the Battaglia lab) presented their work at the Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
