By: Dyllan Furness, Director of Communications
For nearly sixty years, marine scientists at the University of South Florida have studied the ocean from a unique, waterfront campus on Tampa Bay. This research enterprise has grown over the decades into what is now the USF College of Marine Science, recognized around the world as a leader in oceanography.
The College of Marine Science recently launched season two of “The Rising Tides Podcast" to explore both recent and long-standing initiatives that have emerged from the college. The six new episodes highlight research and programs that take place in Tampa Bay and have impacted communities across Florida and beyond. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at oceanography in action and glimpse at the future of marine science through interviews with faculty, staff, and students.
Several episodes focus on programs, such as The Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (TB-PORTS), which have become models for similar efforts around the country.
In celebration of USF’s 70th anniversary, two of the episodes explore initiatives that were started more than 35 years ago and have become models for similar efforts around the country. These programs — The Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System and the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls — reflect the quality and impact of USF’s research and outreach activities.
All episodes of the podcast, which was produced in partnership with the Department of Journalism and Digital Communication at USF St. Petersburg, are available now on Acast, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
Episode 1: Navigating challenging waterways and rogue waves
The Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (TB-PORTS) celebrates 35 years of keeping Tampa Bay’s waterways safer through real-time and accurate ocean data. In this episode, Associate Professor Mark Luther discusses how this system has shaped navigation and coastal science nationwide, and how it helps monitor hazards like rogue waves.
Episode 2: Explore the world of marine microbes
The hidden world of marine microbes comes alive with Assistant Professor Margaret Mars Brisbin of the Microbial Interactions in a Changing Ocean Lab. From storm-driven flooding in Tampa Bay to long-term impacts of ocean warming, learn how shifting environmental conditions are reshaping microscopic communities that underpin marine life.
Episode 3: Enhancing Florida’s network of tide gauges for coastal resilience
With more coastline than any state in the contiguous United States, Florida is uniquely impacted by sea level rise. Professor Gary Mitchum explains how scientists track water levels using tide gauges, why historic instruments matter, and how an effort by the Florida Flood Hub to expand the state's tide gauge network will improve future projections of flooding.
Episode 4: How a science camp for kids offers a model for the nation
For more than 35 years, the Oceanography Camp Especially for Girls has inspired middle schoolers to explore marine science. This episode highlights its impact on students and communities and features Education & Outreach Director Teresa Greely and Outreach Coordinator Makenzie Kerr. Find out how the camp’s model can be replicated nationwide to support youth science education.
Episode 5: Inside an innovative project to catalog chemical pollution
Discover the Tampa Bay Surveillance project, a cutting-edge effort to examine contaminants in the Tampa Bay estuary. Featuring Professor Steven Murawski and graduate researcher Alexandra Lee, who discuss their fieldwork (catching fish in the bay) and lab work (sampling tissue in the college’s state-of-the-art facilities). Hear about the project’s regional impacts and how hands-on research prepares students for real-world careers.
Episode 6: Leveraging citizen science with vertical oyster gardens
Eastern oysters are ecosystem engineers that protect shorelines, support wildlife, and filter water in estuaries like Tampa Bay. Doctoral student Olivia Blondheim shares her research on innovative structures called vertical oyster gardens. Find out how citizen science can engage communities and help them tackle complex environmental challenges.