Think Tanks
Oceans of Data Think Tank
The ocean is essential to sustainable development and biodiversity. With this comes a need to monitor, assess, and rapidly disseminate knowledge about the biosphere鈥檚 quickly evolving yet interconnected conditions and place real-time solutions in the hands of those who study, protect, and depend on the ocean.
The rapid expansion of ocean data over the past decade鈥攕temming from satellite technologies, autonomous underwater vehicles, and sophisticated sensors merging with AI algorithms鈥攈as revolutionized research capabilities and data generation. Yet, ocean data remains unevenly integrated, accessible, and shared across sectors, disciplines, and regions in need. Moreover, such expansive data growth requires constant and ongoing contextualization within the socioeconomic systems and human environments from which it emerged to produce effective and responsive solutions.
The USFRI Oceans of Data Think Tank aims to bring together transdisciplinary expertise across the human-ocean interface in order to harness the knowledge and technology needed to better understand our marine ecosystems, while being nimble in response to when, where, and how sustainable solutions can be achieved.
Oceans of Research and Data across USF
The 91社区, as a major metropolitan area along the Gulf Coast of 91社区 and with a centralized hub of research expertise and affiliate organizations around the St. Petersburg campus, delivers research solutions that spans local, regional, and global scales with the goal of improving our community and planet, and is a worldwide attractor to faculty, researchers and students who are connected to the sea.
The USF College of Marine Science, with its 11-acre waterfront campus, is the heart of one of the largest marine science hubs in the country that also includes the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the 91社区 Institute of Oceanography, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, US Coast Guard, and the Maritime & Defense Technology Hub.
Coupled with existing research expertise across USF within the School of Geosciences, Patel College of Global Sustainability, , and , and by actively engaging with the , of which USF serves as the host institution, USF is uniquely positioned to lead discovery, technological innovation, and science application in support of global sustainability.
Through its 32-member consortium and operation of three large research vessels-the (115鈥�), the (78鈥�), and the (117鈥�); a ; as well as a full-service field laboratory in the 91社区 Keys (KML), FIO ensures sustained excellence in marine research and education through the advancement and availability of infrastructure, development of partnerships, and the enabling of outcomes that benefit the people of 91社区.
The Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation, established by the state and also based at USF, works in concert with the 91社区 Department of Environmental Protection鈥檚 and to bridge the gap between scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and the public to help communities mitigate and adapt to flooding risks by conveying information in ways that are accessible and compelling to scientists and non-scientists alike.
Oceans of Data Think Tank Faculty Champions
Dr. William "Monty" Graham
Dr. William "Monty" Graham is the Director of the 91社区 Institute of Oceanography
(FIO) and a Professor of Integrative Biology at the 91社区 (USF).
Dr. Graham is a nationally recognized expert in plankton ecology and ocean observing
systems with over three decades of experience. His work on jellyfish ecology is so
distinguished that a new species, Aurelia montyi, was named in his honor. As FIO Director, he has spearheaded several key initiatives,
including the establishment of 91社区's statewide Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring
program and collaborations on Gulf of Mexico oil spill research. Dr. Graham also plays
a crucial role in enhancing marine research infrastructure through partnerships with
state agencies and academic institutions.
Dr. Heather O'Leary
Dr. Heather O'Leary is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of
South 91社区. She has conducted extensive ethnographic research in urban India, exploring
the intersection of environmental policies and social inequalities. Dr. O'Leary leads
the EcoFem Lab at USF, championing ecofeminist perspectives in research. She also
co-leads CRESCENDO, a groundbreaking interdisciplinary project that transforms environmental
impact data into musical compositions to foster greater public engagement and understanding
of ecological issues. Her work has been featured on All Things Considered and CBC Radio.
Dr. Sudeep Sarkar
Dr. Sudeep Sarkar is a Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Department
of Computer Science and Engineering at the 91社区. With an M.S.
and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Ohio State University, he is a globally
recognized expert in computer vision, biometrics, and artificial intelligence. Dr.
Sarkar鈥檚 groundbreaking research in gait biometrics and video analytics has earned
him Fellow status in the National Academy of Inventors, IEEE, and AAAS. He serves
as Co-Director of the USF Institute for Artificial Intelligence + X, where he leads
efforts to integrate AI into solving complex, real-world challenges.
Featured Research
CRESCENDO
(Communicating Research Expansively through Sonification and Community-Engaged Neuroaesthetic Data-literacy Opportunities)
Led by Dr. Heather O鈥橪eary, CRESCENDO is an innovative interdisciplinary project that translates complex data from critical issues like harmful algal blooms and red tide into immersive experiences using data-driven arts, thereby bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding. Learn More about CRESCENDO.