Administration & Staff

The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Marine Science is administered by the College of Science and Technology under the direction of Dean Joe Whitehead. The Department of Marine Science is also affiliated with the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences.

Department Chair

Dr. Steven Lohrenz
Lohrenz has served as Chair since July of 2004. He received a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography in 1985 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program. He joined The University of Southern Mississippi faculty in 1987. His research interests include phytoplankton ecology and physiology and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and other elements. Recent work involves applications of remote sensing and optical methods for the detection and assessment of harmful algal blooms and in the characterization of air-sea fluxes of CO₂ in river influenced coastal margins.

Business Manager

Bridgett May
Bridgett May is the Business Manager for the department and handles departmental finance, payroll, and student registration.

Academic & Recruitment Coordinator

Linda Downs
Linda Downs is the Academic and Recruitment Coordinator. She assists with graduate admissions, recruitment activities, and departmental information requests. She also handles alumni issues for the department.

Facilities Manager

Merritt Tuel is the Facilities Manager for the department and handles departmental compliance issues, radioactive safety as well as serving as a senior research technician.

Information Technology

William Stianche is the I-Tech staff member for the department and provides support for all computer system, server and networking infrastructure.