VIMS

2012 Top Stories

VIMS team helps launch Antarctic Quest

Documentary film will highlight Antarctic research by professor Deb Steinberg and colleagues at VIMS, Rutgers, and other PAL-LTER partners.

Santa Claus pays annual visit to VIMS

The sounds of holiday cheer echo across the VIMS campus as Santa Claus disembarks at Watermen's Hall.

W&M launches Commonwealth Center for Energy & Environment

W&M launches its new Commonwealth Center for Energy and the Environment, a combination of think tank and incubator to expand interdisciplinary research opportunities and address complex issues in energy, public policy,and the environment.

VIMS professor studies “middle ground” of sea-level change

Ongoing research by professor John Brubaker throws light on the intra-seasonal changes that occupy the middle ground between rapid, storm-related surges in sea level and the long-term increase in sea level due to global climate change.

VIMS alumni have long history of service on Capitol Hill

Since its inception in 1979, 34 VIMS grads have made the trip to our nation’s capitol for the one-year fellowship, which places highly qualified graduate students from across the nation with hosts in legislative or executive offices in Washington, D.C.

Sandy produces only minor flooding at VIMS

VIMS experiences only minor flooding during the passage of Hurricane Sandy, with water levels about a half a foot lower than experienced during the passage of Irene in August 2011.

Edward Keesee, 1962-2012

Marine scientist Ed Keesee died on October 18, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer.

VIMS will use major EPA grant to help protect Chesapeake Bay

A 3-year grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will allow VIMS researchers to help localities protect the headwater wetlands that keep pollutants and excess nutrients from entering Bay tributaries.

Interns gain hands-on experience in oyster aquaculture

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science recently celebrated the graduation of four emerging professionals who will be joining the ranks of Chesapeake Bay’s rapidly growing oyster aquaculture industry.

VIMS alumna joins Peace Corps in Zambia

Recent Master's graduate Jaime Blackburn will blog about her experiences in creating fish farms in developing African nation.

Virginia Education Secretary visits VIMS

Education Secretary Laura Fornash and Deputy Secretary Javaid Siddiqi visit VIMS to learn about the Institute's many educational programs and audiences.

VIMS brings outreach outside

Outreach staff at VIMS chart a new course, expanding the Institute’s educational offerings from labs and campus grounds to local beaches, parks, and waterways.

Tidewatch forecasts go public

VIMS researchers give Bay-area residents a new on-line tool for gauging the magnitude of coastal flooding and minimizing its potential impacts.

Aerial photos reveal extent of algal blooms

High-resolution aerial photographs taken by VIMS professor Kim Reece show the broad extent of the algal blooms currently discoloring lower Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia state senators visit VIMS

Members of the Education Subcommittee of the Virginia Senate Finance Committee enjoyed a waterfront tour in conjunction with their public meeting at VIMS.

VIMS professor authors great "beach read"

Carl Hobbs, an authority on the coastal geology of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coast, is author of The Beach Book: Science of the Shore, recently published by Columbia University Press.

SunTrust gift supports VIMS graduate student

Gift from the SunTrust Mid-Atlantic Foundation culminates 5 year commitment, supports study of Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by Ph.D. student Sikai Peng.

VIMS research vessel takes part in OpSail parade

The Bay Eagle—flagship of VIMS' fleet of research vessels—takes part in the Sea and Air Parade of Sail, the initial on-water event for OpSail 2012 Virginia.

Ecologists call for preservation of planet’s remaining biodiversity

20 years after the Rio Earth Summit, a team of prominent ecologists calls for renewed international efforts to curb the loss of biological diversity, which is compromising nature’s ability to provide goods and services essential for human well-being.

VIMS earns top award for wastewater management

VIMS receives Diamond Excellence award from HRSD in recognition of exemplary management of wastewater on its 40-acre shoreline campus in Gloucester Point.

VIMS faculty trio selected for Plumeri Awards

Professors Iris Anderson, Courtney Harris, and Roger Mann receive 2012 Plumeri Awards for Faculty Excellence in recognition of their exemplary achievements in teaching, research, and service.

VIMS announces winners of 2011 Awards

Dean and Director John Wells announces winners of the VIMS Service and Student Awards for 2011 during a ceremony in McHugh Auditorium.

Survey of underwater grasses shows both decline and resilience in 2011

The abundance of underwater grasses in Chesapeake Bay declined by 21% between 2010 and 2011 to the lowest Bay-wide values since 2006. The 2011 coverage is more typical of what was observed prior to 1991 when grass acreages were at the lowest levels recorded by VIMS' annual aerial survey.

VIMS professor helps lead international study of ocean value

VIMS professor Robert Diaz co-edits “Valuing the Ocean” a major international study that attempts to measure the ocean’s monetary value and to tally the costs and savings associated with human decisions affecting ocean health.

VIMS announces launch of “OspreyCam”

Live video stream allows public viewing of an osprey family during its annual nesting and breeding season on the shores of Chesapeake Bay.