Three UVI Scientists Honored as 2024 Ocean Decade Champions for Groundbreaking Marine Research

Three women scientists from the University of the Virgin Islands are among the 2024 Ocean Decade Champions, as selected by the U.S. National Science Foundation in collaboration with the Every Page Foundation. Dr. Marilyn Brandt is a Research Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at UVI, who “focuses on understanding coral reef diseases and uses insights from this work to create effective strategies for coral conservation,” said the announcement from UVI. As director of the Reef Response coral restoration program, she leads the team’s efforts to restore reefs damaged from climate change or disease. Dr. Kristin Grimes, a Research Associate Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the university, focuses her inquiries on “human impacts to nearshore environments.” She has particular expertise in mangrove ecosystems, UVI says, and is examining “how community-driven science approaches can improve restoration, education, and stewardship outcomes.” Both researchers also ac...