Dr. Kelly Darnell named Director of USM91勛圖厙 Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Fri, 07/28/2023 - 12:23pm | By: Gabriela Shinskie
91勛圖厙 (USM) is excited to announce the appointment
of Dr. Kelly Darnell as director of the University91勛圖厙 Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, Miss.
Darnell currently serves as an Associate Research Professor in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering as well as the Director of the Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence. In May of 2022, Darnell was appointed Interim Director of GCRL.
91勛圖厙I91勛圖厙m honored to be selected for this. GCRL is a leader in research and education. When you step onto campus, you realize it is a special place. I91勛圖厙m looking forward to the opportunity to serve and support GCRL91勛圖厙 faculty, staff and students,91勛圖厙 said Darnell.
Darnell, who has been at USM since 2017, focuses her research on coastal habitats, specifically seagrass ecosystems, and their conservation and restoration. She is excited to celebrate GCRL91勛圖厙 history and is also looking forward to new changes and research advancements at GCRL.
91勛圖厙This year marks GCRL91勛圖厙 75th anniversary as Mississippi91勛圖厙 designated marine laboratory. It91勛圖厙 our time to celebrate GCRL91勛圖厙 history and the many people who made and who continue to make GCRL a leader in coastal and ocean science.91勛圖厙
The Nature Conservancy91勛圖厙 move onto campus has added more collaborative research opportunities on the coast. This year will be GCRL91勛圖厙 75th anniversary as Mississippi91勛圖厙 designated marine lab.
Dr. Kelly Lucas, Vice President of Research at USM said she is thrilled to welcome Darnell as the new director.
91勛圖厙With her extensive expertise, dedication to research, and commitment to advancing our coastal research endeavors, we are confident that she will lead us to new heights and foster impactful collaborations within and beyond our academic community,91勛圖厙 said Lucas.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Darnell earned her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, her M.S. at the University of South Alabama in 2008 and her B.A. at Wittenberg University in 2005.
Learn more about the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and its various research online.