Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and MESC/Dauphin Island Sea Lab Collaboration

Abstract
Increased development of research, education and outreach partnerships with the Marine
Environmental Science Consortium-Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) will greatly contribute to
FDA's mission. The DISL is one of Alabama's most valuable assets. DISL was recently designated
as the Alabama Center of Excellence and adds immeasurably to the quality of life in the state
and beyond. The DISL network includes well-recognized scientists affiliated with 23 state-
sponsored institutions that enroll students worldwide in degree programs in classrooms,
laboratories, and education centers. The DISL, which houses nationally recognized education
programs, leading-edge research collaborations, innovative business partnerships and
environmental policy makers, seeks to maintain its diverse multidisciplinary exchanges with
FDA as part of its vibrant and productive research network. This collaboration increases the
intellectual capital and outreach opportunities of DISL and FDA research throughout the Gulf of
Mexico. The goals of the proposed project include: Increased scientific exchanges between
university faculty and staff and FDA scientists and staff; Increased educational opportunities for
qualified students (graduate), staff members and faculty members in the Parties' laboratories,
classroom and offices; Facilitation of joint meetings for education and research; Increased
research collaborations between university faculty and staff and FDA scientists and staff;
Increased research product outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, protocol
development, and scientific presentations; Development of cooperative international activities
including outreach; and Sharing of unique facilities and equipment for increased cost
efficiencies for scientific endeavors. The project also will develop joint efforts to obtain grants
and other extramural funds to support collaborative research and training as permitted under
appropriate statutory authority, promote the adoption of ecologically relevant science in the
development of resource restoration programs, and promote the importance of science in the
everyday lives of the citizens of the Gulf of Mexico coast.
To date, the program has graduated 4 PhD students and 2 MS students. Two additional PhD and
MS students are participating in ongoing projects. In addition, several interns have received
research experiences on projects through the training program. Products from the program
during the last 4 years have included more than 58 presentations, 5 peer-reviewed
publications, 1 funded derivative research proposal.

Grant Number: 5U19FD005923-10
NIH Institute/Center: FDA
Principal Investigator: Ruth Carmichael