The NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II (CCME-II) was established in 2021 as a Cooperative Science Center through an award funded by the NOAA Educational Partnership Program. The goal of the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II (CCME-II) cooperative agreement (NA 21SEC4810004) is to recruit, educate, train, and graduate a new generation of U.S. Citizen scientists in NOAA-mission aligned STEM disciplines, equipped to utilize interdisciplinary approaches to address issues confronting marine and coastal communities throughout the US. CCME-II research is conducted in the areas of Place-Based Conservation, Coastal Intelligence and Coastal Resilience. Through NOAA-mission aligned research and social science integration, the CCME-II student, faculty, and staff produce results that can be used for better understanding and resolution of short-term and long-term science and policy issues to enhance US coastal and marine ecosystems and economies.
Partner Institutions
We are present across the nation, from coast to coast, through six universities.
FAMU Undergraduate
- B.Sc. Molecular Biology
- B.Sc. Chemistry
- B.Sc. Computer Science
- B.Sc. Cybersecurity
- B.Sc. Environmental Science
- B.Sc. Environmental Engineering
- B.Sc. Civil Engineering
FAMU Graduate
- M.Sc. Applied Social Science
- M.Sc. Molecular Biology
- M.Sc. Chemistry
- M.Sc. Computer Science
- M.Sc. Cybersecurity
- M.Sc. Environmental Science
- M.Sc. Civil Engineering
FAMU Doctoral
- Ph.D. Environmental Science
- Ph.D. Civil Engineering
BCU Undergraduate
- B.S. Biology
- B.S. Chemistry
- B.S. Computer Engineering
- B.S. Computer Science
- B.S. Computer Information Science
- B.S. Integrated Environmental Science
BCU Graduate
- M.S. Integrated Environmental Science
- MPH Public Health
CSUMB Undergraduate
- B.S. Marine Science
- B.S. Biology
- B.S. Applied Environmental Science
CSUMB Graduate
- M.S. Marine Science
- M.S. Applied Environmental Science
JSU Undergraduate
- B.S. Biology (Marine Sciences concentration)
- B.S. Biology (Environmental Sciences concentration)
- B.S. Chemistry (Environmental Sciences concentration)
- B.S. Earth System Sciences
Courses include: Oceanography, Global Change, Climatology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Environmental Geology, Hydrology
JSU Graduate
- M.S. Biology (Environmental and Marine Sciences focus)
JSU Doctoral
- Ph.D. Environmental Science
TAMU-CC Undergraduate
- B.S. Atmospheric Science
- B.S. Biology
- B.S. Chemistry
- B.S. Civil Engineering
- B.S. Computer Science
- B.S. Environmental Science
- B.S. Economics
- B.S. Geology
- B.S. Geographic
TAMU-CC Graduate
- M.Sc. Biology
- M.Sc. Chemistry
- M.Sc. Coastal and Marine System Science
- M.Sc. Computer Science
- M.Sc. Environmental Science
- M.Sc. Fisheries and Mariculture
- M.Sc. Geospatial Systems Engineering
- M.Sc. Marine Biology
TAMU-CC Doctoral
- Ph.D. Coastal and Marine System Science
- Ph.D. Geospatial Computer Science
- Ph.D. Marine Biology
UTRGV Undergraduate
- B.S. Environmental Science
- B.S. Marine Biology
- B.S. Biology
UTRGV Graduate
- M.S. Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences
- M.S. Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences
- M.S. Biology
- M.A. Disaster Studies
Our Leadership
We are grateful for our team, supporters, mentors and overall collaborators.
Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II (CCME-II)
- Principal Investigator and Program Manager – Dr. Larry Robinson
- Center Director – Dr. Richard A. Long
- Deputy Director – Dr. Viniece Jennings
- Distinguished Research Scientist – Dr. Steve Morey
- Education Expert – Dr. Vanessa Pitts Bannister
- Program Coordinator – Mrs. Sherry Wells
- Data and Information Manager – A.B. Nero
CCME-II Institutional PIs
- Bethune-Cookman University – Dr. Hyun Jung Cho
- California State University – Monterey Bay – Dr. Cheryl Logan
- Jackson State University – Dr. Brent Thoma
- Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi – Dr. Paul Montagna
- University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley – Dr. David Hicks
CCME-II NOAA Technical Advisor
- Director, NOAA Chesapeake Bay, Program Office and Headquarters, NOAA NCCOS – Dr. Sean Corson
CCME-II NOAA Technical Monitors
- Deputy Director, NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, NOAA AOML – Dr. Molly Baringer
Our Thematic Areas
CCME-II Scholars develop competencies in all three thematic areas as well as understand the social sciences implications of their research. Our Center-Wide Core Curriculum (CWCC) activities ensure that all CCME-II Scholars achieve a minimum set of competencies related to the Center’s research and education programs.
Coastal Resilience
Promoting sustainable use and conservation of coastal and marine resources for long-term ecosystem health.
Coastal Intelligence
Harnessing data, technology, and modeling to improve understanding and decision-making in coastal environments.
Place-Based Conservation
Enhancing place-based conservation through nature-based solutions, focusing on the role of coastal vegetation and habitats.
Our Program
We offer our scholars with research and training opportunities, complemented by our professional development modules, seminars and more.
NERTO / Research
NERTO (NOAA Educational Research and Training Opportunities) connects CCME-II scholars with NOAA scientists through paid, hands-on research experiences aligned with NOAA’s mission. Scholars apply classroom knowledge to real-world coastal and marine challenges using field, laboratory, and data-driven methods. The program builds technical skills, professional networks, and career readiness for federal service and research pathways.
- Joint Collaborative Research Project (JCRP)
- NOAA Experiential Research Training Opportunities (NERTO)
Professional Development
CCME-II’s Professional Development programming equips scholars with the skills needed to succeed in research, leadership, and the NOAA workforce. Training focuses on scientific communication, data management, ethics, teamwork, and career preparation. These experiences help scholars translate technical expertise into real-world impact and professional confidence.
- Annual Cohort Experience (ACE)
- Center-Wide Core Competency Course (CWCC)
- Social Science Integration
- Data and AI prevelance
CCME-II NOAA Mentors by Line Office
Advisory Groups
Learn more about the expert boards that advise and support CCME-II's research and education mission.
CCME-II Stakeholder Advisory Board
- Meghan Lamb, (Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve)
- Monty Graham (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)
- Jenna Harper (Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve)
- Charles Jacoby (Florida FloodHub)
- Kristen Yarncik (Integrated Ocean Observing System)
CCME-II Science Advisory Council
- LaToya Myles (NOAA Air Resources Lab)
- Jamese Sims (Northern Gulf Institute)
- Rafael Ramos (Woods Hole Research Group)
Five Things to Know About CCME-II
Development | Commitment | Focus | Engagement | Collaboration
- Legacy & Workforce Development:
CCME-II builds on the successes of ECSC and CCME-I as a national leader in training U.S. Citizens into the STEM workforce supporting NOAA mission science and coastal decision-making for coastal managers. - Coastal Resilience Commitment:
CCME-II continues to support the development of coastal resilience for communities and economies through research and education at six partner institutions. - Thematic Training Focus:
CCME-II Scholars are trained in three thematic areas, Place-Based Conservation, Coastal Resilience, and Coastal Intelligence, via NOAA Experiential Research & Training Opportunities (NERTO) along with a foundational understanding of social science and core competencies via Center-Wide Core Competency (CWCC) courses. - Hands-on NOAA Engagement:
The Annual Cohort Experience (ACE) introduces scholars to NOAA’s mission and science priorities, in collaboration with NOS, OAR, and the EPP Office. - Advisory Committee Collaboration:
CCME-II leverages both a Stakeholder Advisory Board for community outreach and a Science Advisory Council for student development and research alignment with NOAA’s mission.