USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory names new director
The University of Southern Mississippi is pleased to announce a new director for the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.
Dr. Kelly Darnell is named the new director of the GCRL located in Ocean Springs.
She currently serves as an associate research professor in the school of ocean science and engineering and as the director of the Mississippi based Restore Act Center of Excellence.
Darnell has been at Southern Miss since 2017 and she’s look forward to serving the school during its 75th anniversary. “This is GCRL’s 75th anniversary as being the state of Mississippi’s designated marine lab, and over the 75 years, our researchers at the lab have done absolutely amazing things and there’s been a great history of previous directors and it really is an honor to be a part of GCRL’s history.”
Darnell says really exciting things are in store for the future of GCRL, including a new oyster research and aquaculture facility, and renovation plans for their current boat launch.
