“I can’t say enough about what a great marine operations program UNCW has at the Center for Marine Sciences. We have a really large fleet of small boats for doing work in the sounds and estuaries. Then we have a couple of really nice research vessels for doing the day dive trips, or even longer trips if you needed to. But the real thing that makes our marine operations special is the personnel.”
∼ Dr. David Freshwater '85
In his Hawk’s Eye View, Dr. Freshwater gives a behind-the-scenes look at UNCW’s marine science operations and shows some of the work he, his colleagues and students are doing.
A Seahawk who graduated summa cum laude with honors, Dr. Freshwater’s research interests include marine algae and the dynamics of subtidal hard bottom communities. He is intrigued by the tropical eastern Pacific marine algae as well as updating North Carolina’s marine algal flora and understanding.
“I’ve always enjoyed doing research with students. ... Here at UNCW it’s great because we have terrific undergraduate students that have an opportunity to do a lot of one-on-one interaction and work on research projects. To me, that’s really fun and a great way interact and a great way to learn,” says Dr. Freshwater.
Programs and facilities like UNCW’s marine operations and Center for Marine Sciences are main priorities in UNCW’s ongoing comprehensive campaign. Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW seeks to increase support for students, faculty, programs and facilities. To support Seahawk research programs of the highest quality and the Center for Marine Sciences, visit giving.uncw.edu/giveonline.