The University of Georgia Marine Institute At Sapelo Island
The R/V Spartina (a 44-ft Thompson Trawler) just came back from the shipyard with a new winch and cable. We also modified the rigging so that it can be trawled from the stern, which will make it easier to handle. The vessel is used for both research and education.
UGAMI is currently seeking a Program Coordinator to coordinate all aspects of the visitor experience, from booking reservations to facilitating visits to supporting education and outreach. The position requires irregular hours and residency on Sapelo Island (housing is available). Applications are due March 21, with a start date of June 1, 2025.
UGAMI also has openings for both a Lead Building Services Worker and a Temporary Building Services Worker.
Our very own Jacob Shalack, who was formerly the lead GCE-LTER technician, received the Patriot Award from the Georgia Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) committee. The award is given in recognition of a supervisor who provides support for a service member. Jacob was nominated for the award by Brendan Manley, who worked as a GCE technician from 2017 to 2020 while also serving in the Air National Guard Reserves. UGAMI was also recognized for accommodating Brendan’s leave so that he could participate in training and other duties as required. Brendan is now back in the Air Force working as a meteorologist, and Jacob is now part of the facilities team in the UGA Office of Research. See the post on UGA Today for the full story.
The Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Program (GCE LTER) is looking for undergraduate interns for summer 2025! Some opportunities are limited to students who have not yet graduated. All positions will receive either a stipend, see the GCE website for details. Most internships last ~8 weeks between May and August. However, start and end dates are flexible based on the schedule of the intern and supervisor. Please read the position descriptions carefully as some positions have different requirements, dates, and/or locations.
Link to the online application
The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM EDT on Sunday, March 2, 2025. For more information on these opportunities, please contact Io Hennessy at io.hennessy@uga.edu.
The southeastern US was hit by a historic snowstorm on Jan 21, 2025, and we had snow on Sapelo Island for the first time in almost 40 years (since 1986). The Island lost power, with some areas out for several days, and UGAMI was closed from Jan 21-24. When the ice cleared there were limbs down throughout campus, but things are all picked up thanks to our facilities crew.
We have been working hard over the past year to renovate the South End Apartment building on the main quad of the UGAMI campus. The renovations were necessary to address structural deterioration and required replacing the flooring system. Phase I renovations were focused on what was formerly Apartments 1&2. Although the outside of the building hasn’t changed – there is still a cozy screened in porch in the entryway and the fireplace is intact – it no longer leads into two apartments, but rather one large space with modernized bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living room. Phase II renovations, which will be in what is currently Apartments 3&4, are scheduled to start this month. We are really excited to have the new space!
The Sapelo Island ferry is using the smaller, side dock now that the ramp is gone
The UGA Marine Institute is deeply saddened by the tragic collapse of the ramp at the Sapelo Island ferry this past weekend. Our hearts go out to all.
The Friends of UGAMI hard at work on Labor Day weekend 2024.
The Friends of UGAMI visited the Institute over Labor Day for one of their “work weekends”, and got down to it. They power-washed and started painting the BIRL dormitory and also worked on repairing the Teal Boardwalk. They were joined by Anna Stenport, Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at UGA, and family, who provided additional sets of hands that were all very much appreciated. To learn more about the Friends of UGAMI, contact Beth Richardson: bethrichardson@uga.edu
The University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island (https://ugami.uga.edu/) is seeking to hire an Assistant Director for Academics to develop and provide oversight of the Institute’s residential instructional programs for University students. The candidate will serve on the UGAMI leadership team, contribute to outreach and development efforts, and teach courses in their area of specialization. This position is classified as an Academic Professional, which is a non-tenure track faculty position.
A Ph.D. in Marine Science or a related discipline is required. A complete description and application materials can be found on the university’s faculty job portal https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/392515. Applications received by October 11, 2024 are assured full consideration. The position has a target start date of January 2025. Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Merryl Alber, Chair of the Search Committee (ugamidir@uga.edu), with the subject line: Academic Professional.
Morning talks in the UGAMI power house
Poster session at the Hog Hammock Library
UGAMI partnered with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve to organize the 2nd annual Sapelo Symposium, which was held on Thursday, July 25. The day began with lightning talks at UGAMI that highlighted research being conducted on the Island, followed by lunch and a poster session in the Hog Hammock community. Approximately 70 people attended the event, including 8 students from the UGAMI summer semester program and 3 from the GCE-LTER, each of whom presented posters about their research. It was great to have an opportunity to celebrate Sapelo’s role as a hub for scientific activity.
