CMAST News

Apr 30, 2025

CMAST Bids Farewell to Semester at CMAST Students

The NC State Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) Semester at CMAST class of 2025 presented their spring research projects to a group of their peers and mentors today.  Research topics, presenters, and mentors, included: Andrew Morris – Mentors, Drs. Alex Chouljenko and Alona Chepiha and Mr. Greg Bolton Best of luck to this…

Apr 30, 2025

Pygmy Whale Sperm Calf Strands at Emerald Isle

On Wednesday, a live pygmy sperm whale calf stranded alive at Emerald Isle. Pygmy sperm whales are pelagic, deep diving, squid eaters and are rarely seen at sea because they spend little time at the surface. Unfortunately, they often strand in mother-calf pairs, and many strand alive. This animal was a female, and her mother…

Apr 30, 2025

NC State Veterinary Students Make a Difference in the Galapagos Islands

Morehead City, NC – Twenty-two Veterinary students just returned from a trip of a lifetime in the Galapagos Islands through NC State University’s Galapagos Elective: Conservation and Ecology in Ecuador course.  The purpose of the Galapagos elective, or ILAVET, taught and led by Dr. Gregory Lewbart, professor of aquatic animal medicine at the Center for…

Apr 24, 2025

Differences of Opinion on Whale Mortality

With deceased whale strandings increasing along the Atlantic coast, scientists and fishermen are debating the possible causes, from boat strikes to fishing gear entanglement to offshore wind energy sources.  Professor and director of marine health at North Carolina State University’s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, Dr. Craig Harms, weighs in on the story. Read more…

Apr 23, 2025

NC State CMAST Deploys Audio Video Array in the Galapagos

NC State CMAST research specialist, Melissa LaCroce, and PhD student, Mikayla Carrier, are pictured preparing to deploy an audio video array (AVA) in San Cristobal, Galapagos. This AVA system features multiple time-synced hydrophones and cameras mounted on a 3D frame. At night, when the acoustic activity of fish is often heightened, the field of view…

Apr 3, 2025

Humpback Whale Carcass in Indian Beach Examined by CMAST Veterinarians and Partners

Morehead City, NC, April 2, 2025 – A humpback whale carcass reported floating off the coast of North Carolina by the Clearwater Marine Research Institute North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Survey team over the weekend was examined by a team from the NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) and its partners. The…

Apr 3, 2025

NC State Builds Audio-visual Array to be Deployed in the Galápagos Islands

NC State Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) research specialist Melissa LaCroce and PhD student Mikayla Carrier (pictured below, left to right) test a newly built audio-visual array (AVA) in a pool before it is deployed in the Galápagos Islands. The array is fitted with six hydrophones, two lights, and two cameras and was…

Mar 26, 2025

Graduate Students Monitor Newly Built and In-progress Oyster Sanctuaries in Pamlico Sound

NC State master’s student Rebecca Ruiz, Ph.D. student John Brooks, and master’s student Jess Izaguirre (pictured left to right), are working on a project to monitor newly built and in-progress oyster sanctuaries in Pamlico Sound. Ruiz’s portion of the work focuses on characterizing fish assemblages on the reefs using ARIS sonar data, which is complimented…

Mar 26, 2025

Semester at CMAST Student Works with Bonehenge Whale Center

Each spring, NC State offers a semester-long hands-on immersion learning experience for undergraduate students at the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST).  While each student takes a full load of courses, they also work with a mentor to conduct a research project.  This semester, CMAST is hosting twelve students, including sophomore, Cecilia Calub, who…

Mar 26, 2025

Drs. Chouljenko Collaborate on Sturgeon Research

Dr. Alex Chouljenko, NC State assistant professor and director of the Seafood Technology Program at the Center for Marine Sciences and technology (CMAST), recently collaborated with Dr. Vladimir Chouljenko, professor, Louisiana State University, to research and publish a study about Russian sturgeon genetics. The two presented a poster outlining their research at this month’s Aquaculture…