Welcome to the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center, headquartered at UMES. Along with seven partner institutions, we train and graduate highly-qualified students in marine science for careers in research, management, and public policy that support the sustainable harvest and conservation of our nation’s marine resources.
Our student fellows earn access to top tier academic programs, expert mentors, peer support, and a vast network of alumni to help them achieve their academic and career goals.
Dr. Paulinus Chigbu, Director of the LMRCSC
Who benefits?
Many stakeholders benefit from the cooperative science center, including highly qualified students who require financial support and will be competitive contenders in the global workforce upon graduation. The Center also offers mentor training to our university partners and to members of the NOAA workforce who wish to host student interns during summer field research. The LMRCSC’s Data Portal and publications in major journals give professionals in fisheries management, policy makers, and the greater science community access to our students’ and faculty research findings.
Our Impact
Since its formation, more than 40 LMRCSC graduates have gone on to work for NOAA, and many others have taken roles in alignment with the NOAA Mission. These graduates enter the agency having already developed NOAA-specific skills, connections, and an awareness of processes and procedures that would have accounted for months or years of training.
Without sustained investment, NOAA risks a reduction in qualified and trained fisheries scientists ready to address the challenges faced by domestic and global fisheries. This shortage could affect our food supply and many domestic coastal economies.
Our research, from internship projects completed in partnership with NOAA labs to our graduates’ theses and dissertations have contributed new and much-needed scientific information to the benefit of our local and national economies.
Our Success Stories
Watch the video above to learn more about the Center, and hear directly from students how NOAA LMRCSC support has opened doors in their academic journey.
LMRCSC hosts 11th Biennial Education & Science Forum
Over the course of three days, attendees participated in dynamic keynote sessions, student-led research presentations, and networking opportunities.
Internship Accomplishments
In the summer of 2024, LMRCSC Master’s Fellow Ian Santos completed a NERTO with scientists at NOAA’s Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program. Ian studied Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, and Weddell Seals in the Antarctic Peninsula, where rapid warming is affecting the seals’ food supply.
In the summer of 2024, undergraduate fellow Cheyenne Murdaugh completed an internship at the NOAA labortory in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Here, she uses a microscope to separate plankton specimen to find Cladocerans.
Connect with us
Fellows and faculty: click here to access the LMRCSC’s internal website on ISpring.
