Research Labs and Programs

From the depths of the ocean to the expanse of the surface to the stretches of shoreline, our expert faculty are immersed in marine science research.

Group of people smiling while looking at the view from the beach shoreline.

Cal State Monterey Bay is home to several marine science research labs and programs. Our faculty help further the field while giving students unparalleled real-world learning experiences.

Otters can get involved in research in our department in several ways, from conducting their own projects to working as lab assistants.

Additionally, CSUMB students of all majors have access to a variety of experiences through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC).

Marine Science Programs

NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME)

Faculty Contact: Dr. Cheryl Logan

CCME educates and trains a new generation of scientists in NOAA-relevant STEM disciplines and social sciences. The center explores interdisciplinary approaches to address issues confronting marine and coastal communities.

Rote Program - Professorship

Professorship: Dr. James Lindholm

The Rote Program supports annual and recurring public events, workshops on science communication, and invited speakers on topics of the interface of marine science and policy. It also funds undergraduate and graduate students in research on applied topics, as well as faculty research conducted in support of governance at state, federal, and international levels.

Research Diving Program

Faculty: Dr. James Lindholm

CSUMB is an organizational member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). Our Research Diving Program supports students, faculty, and staff in dive safety, scientific diving operations, academic training and activities, and equipment operations.

Faculty Research Labs

The Department of Marine Science at CSUMB has a number of distinct research labs. Here’s a look at what’s happening on campus and in the field.

Coastal Ecology Lab

Faculty: Dr. Alison Haupt

Areas of research: Population ecology, kelp forest community disturbance, citizen science

Environmental Physiology Lab

Faculty: Dr. Cheryl Logan

Areas of Research: Marine ecological and evolutionary physiology, climate change stress physiology, ecological forecasting

View The Logan Lab to learn more.

Jorgensen Ocean Predator Ecology Lab

Faculty: Dr. Sal Jorgenson

Areas of Research: Ocean predator movement, population dynamics, ecological interactions, electronic tagging, biologging

View the Jorgenson Lab to learn more.

Lindholm Fish Ecology and Video Analysis Lab

Faculty: Dr. James Lindholm

Areas of Research: Shelf and slope ecology, image-based approaches to data collection, application of science to policy and management

View Lindholm Labs to learn more.

Sampling of Current Projects and Collaborations

The Marine Science Research Group is a collaboration of marine science faculty, this group couples their strong research programs, academic curriculum, and community engagement programs across the department. Here are just a few of the specific projects and initiatives our marine science faculty are involved with:

Project	Faculty PI	Collaborator(s)
Anthropocene Research Award in Marine Conservation	James Lindholm
Assessing the Potential for Rapid Adaptation to Climate Change in Rockfish	Cheryl Logan
Assessment of Abalone and Urchin Populations in Monterey	Alison Haupt
California Collaborative Fisheries Research Program - Monitoring and Evaluation of MPAs	Sal Jorgensen	SJSU
California Undersea Imagery Archive	James Lindholm	OPC, CDFW
Engaging Non-Science Majors in Authentic Research through Citizen Science	Alison Haupt
Galapagos Coral: Canaries in a Coal Mine	Cheryl Logan	SFQU
Image-based Approaches to Surveying Corals at Mid-depth Rocky Reefs in Central California's MPAs	James Lindholm	MBNMS
Using Citizen Science to Understand 30 Years of Change in Kelp Cover	Alison Haupt	UMass, NASA
Preliminary Assessment of Shark Overlap with Potential Sea Otter Reintroduction Areas in Oregon	Sal Jorgensen	Elakha Alliance
Monitoring & Evaluation of Mid-depth Rocky Reef Ecosystems in MPAs	James Lindholm	MLML, UCSB, HSU

Research Labs and Programs

Marine Science Programs

Faculty Research Labs

Sampling of Current Projects and Collaborations

Contact information

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