Below is a list of UCI staff members and their areas of expertise. Additional biographical information can be found on the Who We Are<\/a> page. See a full list of experts at Monmouth University<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Media inquiries may be directed to Communications Director Karl Vilacoba at kvilacob@monmouth.edu<\/a> or 732-571-3688 (cell: 848-469-0832). <\/p>\n\n\n Jason Adolf, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertise: Water quality, harmful algal blooms, red tides, phytoplankton ecology and evolution<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meredith Comi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Aquaculture, oyster restoration and living shoreline projects, coastal community resilience<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rachel Forbes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Environmental justice, social work and the environment, climate change and mental health, sustainability, ecological justice, culture and place-based equity, fostering sustainable behavior<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thomas Herrington, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertise: Coastal resilience and sustainability, hazard mitigation, ocean engineering, storm surge and wave impacts, beach\/sand management, climate change<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter Jacques, Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The politics of climate change and sustainability, ethical considerations and metrics of sustainability, Indigenous thought and the environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tony MacDonald, Esq.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertise:<\/strong> Ocean resources management issues and public policy, beach access law, ocean planning, federal environmental legislation and congressional affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jay Odell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertise: Fisheries, ocean planning, climate change impacts to ocean ecosystems, marine life and dependent fishing communities<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karl Vilacoba<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertise: General inquiries about UCI programs, projects and activities; the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal and regional ocean planning<\/p>\n\n\n Visit our frequently updated UCI Blog<\/a> for additional news and features<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Study Provides Insights on the Nature of Climate Science Denial Arguments<\/a>, Dec. 9, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute to Host Future of the Ocean Symposium Oct. 9<\/a>, Oct. 1, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n Op-Ed: New Jersey Turns the Tide with Innovative Coastal Sediment Strategy<\/a>, June 24, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monmouth University Scientists Confirm New Invasive Species of Anemone in U.S. on New Jersey Beaches<\/a>, Feb. 18, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ocean Bodies, A Solo Exhibit by Kimberly Callas<\/a>, Dec. 4, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pallone-Secured Funds Drive Major Milestone in Bay Restoration with Deployment of 80 Oyster Castles at Naval Weapons Station Earle<\/a>, Nov. 14, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pallone Secures $750,000 for Monmouth University\u2019s Coastal Protection Initiative<\/a>, Oct. 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n DEP Partners Look Forward to Resilience Projects Following $72 Million NOAA Grant Announcement<\/a>, Aug. 6, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rebuild by Design Proposes New Funding Opportunities to Build the Climate Infrastructure Needed to Keep New Jersey Safe<\/a>, July 15, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n New Jersey Resources Celebrates Earth Day with Pledge to Support Coastal Resilience and Healthy Ecosystems Through Monmouth University\u2019s Urban Coast Institute<\/a>, April 22, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pallone Secures $625,000 for Monmouth University to Support Ecological and Coastal Resilience<\/a>, March 13, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n N.J. Poll: Support for Wind Energy Plunges<\/a>, Aug. 29, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comi to Lead Oyster Restoration and Resilience Initiatives at Urban Coast Institute<\/a>, Aug. 16, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monmouth University Study Finds Rain-Driven Microbial Pollution Persists at Surfing Beaches in Colder Months<\/a>, Aug. 9, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Urban Coast Institute to Host Symposium Exploring Oceans and Climate Change April 13<\/a>, March 30, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Study: Deal Lake Caught in Seasonal Cycle of Harmful Algal Blooms<\/a>, Jan. 11, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monmouth Receives Funding to Establish Consortium of N.J. Universities to Conduct Research on Coastal Resilience<\/a>, Sept. 27, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ocean Wind 1 Funds Nearly $13 Million in Fisheries Monitoring Surveys<\/a>, July 27, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monmouth U. Receives Federal Funds to Improve Coastal Resilience in Naval Weapons Station Earle and Socially Vulnerable N.J. Communities<\/a>, April 19, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n National Poll: Fires, Floods Linked to Climate<\/a>, Oct. 4, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monmouth University Awarded Grant to Monitor Health of County\u2019s Coastal Lakes through 2023<\/a>, July 8, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analysis of Pitch Data Shows Climate Change May Strike Baseball Umpiring<\/a>, June 23, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sea Grant\u2019s COVID-19-inspired #BEachSAFEly Wins \u201cBest Public Awareness Campaign\u201d Award<\/span><\/a>, April 30, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Study proves bits of DNA in seawater correlate to the weight of netted fish<\/a>, Dec. 3, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gaffney Named to National Academies Committee Tasked with Advancing Defense Research at HBCUs and MSIs<\/a>, Sept. 14, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n Humpback Whale Disentangled off New York Thanks to Team Effort<\/a>, July 31, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\nUCI Expert Guide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
News Releases<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n