By: Dyllan Furness, Director of Communications
The (OOL) at the ±«Óătv College of Marine Science (CMS) has been honored with the prestigious for its outstanding contributions to advancements in remote sensing technology, education, and community service. Comprised of 16 scientists, engineers, post-doctoral scholars, and graduate students, OOL has positioned itself at the forefront of scientific progress in remote sensing.
“For more than a decade, our group has averaged more than 20 peer-reviewed publications per year, advancing the science of ocean optics and optical remote sensing,” said Chuanmin Hu, professor of oceanography at CMS and director of OOL. “I am incredibly proud of our current and past lab members and grateful for their dedication to both research and its application.”
Under Hu’s leadership, OOL has pioneered innovative methodologies to investigate phenomena such as algal blooms, oil spills, and coastal ecosystem dynamics. The team has also focused on sharing its research with the public through meaningful applications that support decision makers, mitigate disasters, and educate future professionals.
“The Optical Oceanography Lab’s groundbreaking contributions to remote sensing extend well beyond the research community,” said Tom Frazer, dean of CMS. “The lab has invested significant effort to help solve environmental problems and deliver value to society. This is an extraordinary and well-deserved honor for Dr. Hu and his team.”
IMAGE ABOVE: Brian Barnes and Chuanmin Hu (center left and center right) accept the 2024 William T. Pecora Group Award from David Applegate (left), director of the US Geological Survey, and Karen Germain (right), director of NASA’s Earth Science Division.
Among OOL’s most notable contributions is the discovery of extensive mats of brown seaweed known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, which stretches from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. While a critical habitat for marine animals in the open ocean, Sargassum has caused detrimental impacts on coastal ecosystems and communities across the tropical Atlantic when excessive amounts were washed in coastal waters and on beaches.
OOL has developed new algorithms and used satellite data to operate various open-access services including the Sargassum Watch System (SaWS), Virtual Buoy System (VBS), and Integrated Red-tide Information System (IRIS). These systems serve more than 60 countries to various stakeholders.
Educating the public and training the next generation of scientists has been a cornerstone of OOL. Hu and Brian Barnes, assistant research professor at CMS, have been advisors or committee members for more than 30 master’s and doctoral students. The lab has also sponsored 10 postdoctoral fellows. Hu and Barnes regularly serve as “go-to” experts for media inquiries regarding Sargassum inundation on beaches and harmful algal blooms in coastal waters.
The is jointly sponsored by the Department of Interior (DOI) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It honors the memory of Dr. William T. Pecora, former U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Director and DOI Undersecretary. Established in 1974, the award is presented annually to individuals or teams using satellite or aerial remote sensing that make outstanding contributions toward understanding the Earth (land, oceans and air), educating the next generation of scientists, informing decision makers or supporting natural or human-induced disaster response.