Research Symposium

Agenda

12:00-12:45 – LUNCH (provided by NH Sea Grant)

12:45-1:00 – WELCOME

• Erik Chapman, Director of NH Sea Grant
• Marian McCord, UNH Senior Vice Provost for Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

1:00-1:30 – KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

• Promoting the sustainability of New Hampshire oyster aquaculture by improving pathogenic Vibrio management tools and contingencies
  Cheryl Whistler – Dept. of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
  Chris Nash – NH Dept. of Environmental Services
  Additional panelist(s) TBA

1:30-2:45 – COMPLETED PROJECTS AND THEIR RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT OUTCOMES
These research projects received funding in our 2022-2023 funding cycle. Presentations will focus on research and extension outcomes, importance of outcomes to NH's ecosystems, communities, and economy, and insights on connecting research to state and regional needs. Moderated by Steve Jones, NH Sea Grant’s Associate Director & Assistant Director for Research.

• Development and evaluation of a culturally tailored online nutrition education program targeting fish consumption among Hispanic adults
  Sherman Bigornia – Dept. of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems, University of New Hampshire
• Factors influencing PFAS bioaccumulation and biomagnification in marine food webs associated with aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) sources in a New England estuary
  Celia Chen – Dept. of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College
• Team LuMP — Lumpfish Mapping Project
  Elizabeth Fairchild – Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire
• Temporal dynamics of phytoplankton populations in coastal NH
  Elizabeth Harvey – Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire
• What ‘goes with the flow’? Linking eelgrass (Zostera marina) reproduction and genetic diversity with oceanographic drivers in Great Bay Estuary
  Cynthia Hays – Dept. of Biology, Keene State College
• Diversifying the New England Sea Vegetable Aquaculture Industry – Phase II: Line Seeding Technology and Grow-out Trials for Longline Nori Production
  Chris Neefus – Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire

2:45-3:00 – BREAK

3:00-4:00 – RECENTLY FUNDED RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
These research projects received funding in our 2024-2025 funding cycle. Presentations will focus on outlining each project's research and extension goals and activities. Presenters will share successes and challenges (identified during initial phase of projects) in connecting research to ecosystems, communities, and economy. Moderated by Steve Jones, NH Sea Grant’s Associate Director & Assistant Director for Research.

• Toward a bird-friendly blue economy: Integrating seabird data into marine development planning
  Elizabeth Craig – Shoals Marine Laboratory, University of New Hampshire & Cornell University
• Understanding differential climatic and exploitative impacts on two Atlantic cod stocks in the western Gulf of Maine
  Adrienne Kovach – Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire
• Biotoxin accumulation in a changing coastal ocean: determining how feeding behavior and food selection in commercially important bivalves is altered by warming and acidification
  Brittany Jellison – Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire
• Evaluating the northern range expansion of blue crab in New Hampshire through community engagement, baseline monitoring, and trophic interactions
  Chris Peter – Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Demographic representation and barriers to access in New Hampshire's blue economy
  Easton White – Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire

4:00-4:10 – ENHANCING RESEARCH WITH SEA GRANT EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Julia Peterson, Extension Program Leader for NH Sea Grant, will provide an overview of NH Sea Grant's extension, education, and communications capacity, expertise, and relevancy for integrated and engaged research.

4:10-5:30 – POSTER SESSION AND RECEPTION
Meet and network with NH Sea Grant staff, funded researchers, and symposium attendees. Poster session features student research (undergraduate and graduate), development projects, and extension projects based on NH Sea Grant-funded activities. Light refreshments.

4:30-5:00 – OPTIONAL: RFP INFORMATION SESSION (concurrent with poster session)
NH Sea Grant recently announced its biennial Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2026-2027 research funding cycle. This information session is intended for prospective Principal Investigators and researchers who would like to learn more about Sea Grant’s funding processes and research proposal requirements. No prior registration is required.

Poster Session

At the end of the research symposium, NH Sea Grant will host a reception and poster session for coastal research related to our focus areas and priorities. All symposium attendees are welcome to attend, no additional registration is required.

Researchers who have been awarded NH Sea Grant development funds will receive an invitation to present a poster. Sea Grant-supported students (undergraduate and graduate) are also encouraged to submit posters to the session.

Poster RegistratION

2026-2027 RFP

As part of the reception and poster session, NH Sea Grant will host an information session about our latest Request for Proposals (RFP). Join us for this portion of the symposium to learn about the RFP and how you can join our growing research community.

 RFP Details 

Featured Research Projects

Completed Projects (2022-2023)