TAMUCC CCME II Partnership Continues to Bolster STEM Education and Workforce Development

Post
Florida A&M University
Date
Research
Institutional Initiatives
CCME II scholars at TAMU-CC (left to right), Miranda White, Angelica Ovalle, and Narita Ramirez
CCME II scholars at TAMU-CC (Left to right), Miranda White, Angelica Ovalle and Narita Ramirez at the NOAA EPP Biennial Education and Science Forum in Princess Anne, Maryland

Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi is an institutional partner in the Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME II) which trains a new generation of U.S. Citizen scientists in NOAA aligned STEM disciplines and workforce. The CCME II research at TAMU-CC aligns with multiple strategic priorities in Texas such as water resource development, aquaculture, healthy fisheries and artificial intelligence. Dr. Paul Montagna and Mr. Mikell Smith serve as the institutional co-principal investigators at TAMU-CC. They are joined by center faculty in the Harte Research Institute (HRI) as well as the Life Sciences and Physical and Environmental Science Departments . The CCME II award has facilitated recent highlights for the TAMU-CC community such as the following:  

  • TAMUCC hosted the CCME II Center wide Core Competency Course at the Harte Research Institute. The course welcomed personnel across the center’s six partner institutions and included local venues and regional speakers aligned with core competencies in coastal resilience, coastal intelligence and place-based conservation.  
  • CCME II scholars at TAMU-CC Kate Gomez-Rangel, Miranda White, and Angelica Ovalle were recognized for their research presentations at the NOAA Biennial Education and Science Forum. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC David Silva was featured in a NOAA story for his research on Vibrio Bacteria in the Chesapeake Bay.  
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Laurynn Thompson-Torres participated in the Meridian School Annual Arts & Science Fest and conducted outreach on topics in marine ecology for K-12 kids and parents. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle received second place in the 2025 TAMU-CC Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities. 
  • Miles Jordan and Kalie Tovar (TAMU-CC) staffed a table for the HRI Coastal Water Health Lab at the Friends of Padre Island Fall Fiesta on Padres Island. The event targeted recreational users and stakeholders of the Laguna Madre watershed, and general festival attendees. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kate Gomez-Rangel gave an oral presentation “Investigating growth potential and fertilization rate of hybrid eastern oysters in Texas” at the Western Society of Naturalists conference in Portland, Oregon.  
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Susana Gonzalez presented a poster on Distribution of Phytoplankton species in Coastal Texas at the US Symposium on Harmful Algae in Portland, Maine. The poster coauthors included Dr. Paul Montagna and NOAA Collaborator Marie DeLorenzo  
  • Dr. Philippe Tissot at TAMU-CC serves on a TAMU-CC CBI AI2ES team who deployed four real time water temperature sensors in collaboration with NOAA Fisheries, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Mid-Coast Sea Turtle Rescue to support sea turtle conservation 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Miles Jordan staffed a table for the HRI Coastal Processes Lab at the Friends of Padre Island Fall Fiesta on Padres Island, which targeted members of the public. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Eva Jundt participated in a Student Graduate Association Lunch with Provost Candidates hosted by the Provost & Academic Vice President at the TAMU-CC University Center.  This was a meal with hand-selected students meeting with potential new provosts and offer thoughts and opinions to the hiring committee. 
  • As President of the TAMU-CC Marine Science Graduate Student Organization, CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Eva Jundt presided over the Year Opening Meeting and a Bonfire and Bonding Event. These events are attended by graduate students from all science programs and serve as a networking opportunity to connect graduate students and offer peer to peer support. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle presented a poster on a sediment quality assessment of the Matagorda Bay System at the 2024 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kate Gomez-Rangel participated in an outreach event for Coral Bleaching Awareness Month on behalf of the TAMU-CC Coral Reef and Ocean Health Group at the Texas State Aquarium. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Felipe Urrutia participated in the Coastal Conservation Association Poco Rojo Fish Event held at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Flour Bluff Hatchery which attracted children and parents interested in fishing. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kalie Tovar staffed a table for the HRI Coastal Processes Lab at the Friends of Padre Island Fall Fiesta on Padres Island, which targeted recreational users and stakeholders of the Laguna Madre watershed, and general festival attendees.   
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kate Gomez-Rangel gave an oral presentation on Investigating growth potential and fertilization rate of hybrid eastern oysters in Texas at the 2024 Western Society of Naturalists conference. 
  • CCME II Institutional Co-Investigator at TAMU-CC Dr. Mike Wetz and former CCME-I Scholar Molly McBride were authors on the chapter “Nutrient-Phytoplankton Dynamics in Texas Estuaries” in the book “Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations”. 
  • CCME II Institutional PI at TAMU-CC Dr. Paul A. Montagna and former CCME-I Scholar Elizabeth Gomaa were authors on the chapter “Introduction: History of inflow studies in Texas” in the book “Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations”. 
  • CCME II Institutional PI at TAMU-CC Dr. Paul A. Montagna co-authored the chapter “Influence of inflows on estuary sediments” in the book “Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations”. 
  • CCME II Institutional Co-Investigator at TAMU-CC Dr. Jim Gibeaut and CCME II Institutional PI Dr. Paul A. Montagna co-authored the chapter “Coastal wetland habitats in Texas” in the book “Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations”. 
  • CCME II Institutional PI at TAMU-CC Dr. Paul A. Montagna co-authored the chapter “Effect of freshwater inflow on benthic infauna” in the book “Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations”. 
  • CCME II Institutional PI at TAMU-CC Dr. Paul A. Montagna and CCME II Institutional Co-Investigator Dr. Jennifer Pollack were authors on the chapter “Effects of climate-driven salinity regimes on disease dynamics of the Eastern Oyster, a key estuarine resource and bioindicator” in the book “Freshwater Inflows to Texas Bays and Estuaries: A Regional-Scale Review, Synthesis, and Recommendations”. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Dijani Laplace presented a poster on Community Perceptions of Ecosystems in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands at the A Community on Ecosystem Services (ACES) Conference 2024 in Austin, Texas. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Miranda White gave an oral presentation on Developing a Trustworthy AI Model for Managing Risks of Sea Turtle Cold-Stunning Events at the 2024 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Miranda White gave an oral presentation “From Data to Decision: Exploring Stakeholder Engagement with Machine Learning During Cold-Stunning Events” at the 2025 American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kalie Tovar presented a poster on Potential impact of Dwarf surf clam filtration on phytoplankton biomass and composition at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle presented a poster on Land Use Change and Implications on Estuary Health using GIS Application at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Laurynn Thompson-Torres gave an oral presentation on Salt of the Earth: Biochemical Alterations in Marine Biofilms under Rising Salinity Levels at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Narita Ramirez presented a poster on Assessing Monitoring of Living Shoreline Projects at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Miranda White gave an oral presentation on Exploring Coastal User Engagement with Machine Learning Models for Cold-Stunning Events at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC EvaLynn Jundt presented a poster on Statistical Models for the Estimation of pH and Aragonite Saturation State in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Susana Gonzalez presented a poster on Identifying Key Environmental Conditions for the Historical Presence of Harmful Algal Species in southern Texas using Random Forest and Habitat Suitability Modeling at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kate Gomez-Rangel gave an oral presentation on Investigating the fertilization rate of hybrid eastern oysters in Texas at the 2025 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Education and Science Forum held at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Kate Gomez-Rangel gave an oral presentation on Investigating the fertilization rate of hybrid eastern oysters in Texas at the 2025 World Aquaculture Society in New Orleans, La. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC EvaLynn Jundt gave an oral presentation on Statistical Models for the Estimation of pH and Aragonite Saturation State in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico at the CCME II Annual Meeting held at the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle, Wash. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle presented a poster on Land Use Implications on Estuary Health Using GIS Applications winning second place for Graduate Poster Presentation at the Student Showcase held at The Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi, Texas. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle gave an oral presentation on Land Use Implications on Estuary Health Using GIS Applications at the 2025 Texas Bays and Estuary Meeting held at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle presented a poster on Land Use Implications on Estuary Health Using GIS Applications at the Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities held at TAMU-CC in April 2025. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Narita Ramirez presented a poster on Assessing Monitoring of Living Shoreline Projects at the Student Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities held at TAMU-CC in April 2025. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Narita Ramirez presented a poster on Assessing Monitoring of Living Shoreline Projects at the 2025 Texas Bays and Estuary Meeting held at the University of Texas Marine Science Iinstitute in Port Aransas, Texas. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Laurynn Thompson Torres presented a poster on Salt of the Earth: Biochemical Alterations Under Rising Salinity Levels at the Palais des Expositions de Nice held in Nice, France in June 2025. 
  • CCME II Institutional PI at TAMU-CC Dr. Paul A. Montagna gave an oral presentation on Texas OneGulf Center of Excellence: Science Driving Solutions to Gulf Problems at the Environmental Trade Fair & Conference hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in San Antonio, Texas in June 2025. 
  • CCME II Scholar at TAMU-CC Angelica Ovalle gave an oral presentation on Land Use Implications on Estuary Health Using GIS Applications at the symposium Advancing Land Modeling for Gulf Coast Resilience held in August 2025 at The University of Texas at Austin. 

Briefly elaborate how the CCME II award builds capacity at TAMUCC (e.g. in year 4) and benefits others outside the program (e.g. leveraged research) 

The investment made by NOAA in support of these scholars develops their proficiency in key skills required to advance the NOAA-Mission research enterprise to the benefit of the United States of America.  The added-value professional development, hands-on experiential training working under NOAA scientists at NOAA research facilities, and travel support to scientific conferences to disseminate their research helps CCME-II scholars gain substantial work experience, to build their resumes, and graduate well-poised to secure good jobs for these U.S. citizens in the NOAA-mission workforce. CCME-II funding makes it possible for TAMU-CC research laboratories to add skilled student researchers to their teams, leveraging the graduate-level research CCME-II scholars are doing to build capacity and scientific investigation needed for the health of the American public and its economy.