(Photo by Russ Houston / © Mississippi State University)
The Gazebo Gazette
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST (GG) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently chose Mississippi State University to host its new Cooperative Institute in the Northern Gulf of America, an award valued at up to $100 million over five years. Regarded as CINGA, the institute brings researchers together from across the Gulf Coast to advance environmental research, forecasting, coastal resilience and sustainable resource management. CINGA builds on the foundation of the Northern Gulf Institute, between the partnership that Mississippi State and NOAA have had for 20 years.
Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum said the designation reinforces the university’s position as a national leader in coastal and ocean research while expanding opportunities for Mississippi scientists, students and communities to address some of the Gulf region’s most pressing challenges.
“Mississippi State University is honored by NOAA’s selection and grateful for the opportunity to continue and expand this important partnership,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “This designation recognizes the world-class expertise of our faculty, researchers and staff, as well as the strength of the partnerships we have built throughout the Gulf region. The work of CINGA will generate discoveries that benefit coastal communities, strengthen economic opportunity and help ensure the long-term sustainability of one of America’s most important natural resources.”
MSU’s partnerships with NOAA include a shared building at the Stennis Space Center on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to promote collaboration. NOAA also has invested in supercomputing systems managed by MSU, two of which have been ranked among the most powerful in the world. Impactful research from NOAA and MSU partnerships includes the advancement of large uncrewed aircraft systems, or drones, in storm response, helping the federal agency and emergency officials better understand what areas are at risk of flooding during weather events.
Through CINGA, Mississippi State researchers and partners will advance work that supports fisheries, coastal economies, maritime industries, hurricane and weather forecasting, ecosystem health and community resilience across the Gulf Coast, including the Magnolia state’s coastal communities and industries. The institute will also provide hands-on research experiences and workforce development opportunities for students preparing for careers in science, technology and natural resource management.
The consortium brings together researchers and experts from nine institutions across the Gulf region, including MSU, Florida A&M, Florida State, Jackson State, Louisiana State, and Texas A&M universities, as well as the universities of Alabama in Huntsville and Southern Mississippi and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. CINGA will be affiliated with NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Florida. The award has potential for a five-year renewal based on successful performance.
Major research themes for the new institute include advancing environmental modeling and analysis technologies, improving forecasting capabilities for weather, ocean conditions and environmental hazards, promoting sustainable development of marine and coastal resources, and enhancing data stewardship and accessibility across the Gulf ecosystem.
CINGA will be led by Jamie Dyer, an MSU geosciences professor who was recently named Northern Gulf Institute director.
“This award reflects the extraordinary work of our researchers and partner institutions and the confidence NOAA has in our collective ability to serve the Gulf region,” Dyer said. “CINGA creates tremendous opportunities to deepen scientific collaboration, develop future workforce talent and provide actionable research that helps communities, resource managers and policymakers make informed decisions about the Gulf’s future.”
NOAA’s Cooperative Institutes are centers of excellence that leverage university research and educational expertise to support NOAA priorities and develop the next generation of scientists and professionals. CINGA joins a national network of 16 Cooperative Institutes consisting of 80 universities and research institutions across 33 states and the District of Columbia.
