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Message from Director

As NGI launches its newly designed website, the Institute also enters a new phase. We've graduated from a new start cooperative institute, performed well during a comprehensive science and administrative evaluation gaining an "Outstanding" rating, responded to the research coordination challenge presented by Deepwater Horizon, and adjusted to the tightest funding climate the country has faced in 80 years. NOAA's renewal of the NGI cooperative agreement establishes a collaborative framework for research and education in the northern Gulf region for the next five years. The NGI mission to conduct research that builds an integrated, comprehensive understanding of natural and human impacts on northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystems and economies to improve its management and the four NGI research themes are in lockstep with the NOAA mission.

When the team convened in the spring of 2006 to develop the plan that became NGI, the cooperative spirit between the science leaders took root. Since then, the cooperative spirit has grown throughout the halls of the NGI member institutions, and resonates with the other important regional efforts addressing large issues in the Northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Sea Grant programs of the Gulf, the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, and the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team are just a few. The collaborations have led to protocols and data sharing that support the research, education and resource management of the Gulf ecosystem.

During the summer of 2011, the NGI Council of Fellows adopted a new 10 year strategic plan. If you are a stakeholder vested in a vital and healthy northern Gulf of Mexico, I invite you to join us in realizing the goals of this long term plan. We look forward to working with you toward improved our understanding of how to be good stewards of the critical American resources of the northern Gulf.

Robert Moorhead

Contact:
Robert J. Moorhead II, Ph.D., Director
rjm@ngi.msstate.edu
Office: 662.325.2850
Box 9627
Mississippi State, MS 39762

About NGI

NGI Overview

The Northern Gulf Institute (NGI) is a partnership of Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Florida State University, Louisiana State University, the Alabama Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The NGI 2011-2021 Strategic Plan describes our unique identity and capabilities, the purpose of the work we do, our long-term goals and our near-term implementation activities.

NGI Strategic Plan 2011 - 2021 (~2.6MB)

Who We Are – Academic Experts for Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems Research

The Northern Gulf Institute engages nationally and internationally recognized academic experts who provide intellectual and technological capacity to address comprehensive regional ecosystem approaches to science and management in the northern Gulf of Mexico

What We Do – Research for Holistic Understanding of Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems

NGI Mission: The Northern Gulf Institute conducts research that builds an integrated, comprehensive understanding of natural and human impacts on northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystems and associated economies to improve its management

What We Seek – Transformations in Regional Ecosystem-Based Management

NGI Vision: Research-driven transformations in regional ecosystem-based management enable managers and communities to improve the resilience and health of ecosystems and people and the sustainability of resources in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Long-Term Goals – Improve Ecosystem Science and Use and Strengthen the Northern Gulf Institute

Research Goals

• Understand the structure, function, and services of ecosystems across land-sea, ocean-atmosphere, and coastal waters-deep sea interfaces
• Synthesize information across disciplines to reduce uncertainty and to forecast ecosystem responses
• Develop applications that address regional management needs

Engagement Goals

• Develop, facilitate, disseminate, and transition research, knowledge, and applications
• Build internal and external connections for institutional sustainability

Near-Term Priorities – Guide for Implementation Plans for next Three to Five Years

• Address research needs to understand impacts of Gulf oil and other contaminants, excess nutrients, hypoxia, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, storms, and other natural and anthropogenic hazards
• Develop capabilities for Integrated Ecosystem Assessment and comprehensive modeling for coastal scenario-based planning and forecasting to improve management of ecosystems and resources
• Continue time-series monitoring for water quality, fisheries management, and habitat restoration
• Involve regional agencies and managers in the development of research directions, the implementation of applications, and the pursuit of related funding opportunities
• Support development of new scientists with regionally-focused, hands-on research experiences for graduate and undergraduate students and provide information for educators and citizen scientists