Jacksonville University to collaborate with OCEARCH

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville University will collaborate with OCEARCH, a nonprofit organization that studies great white sharks and tiger sharks other predators, officials announced Thursday.

The two are partnering to promote scientific research and experiential learning. The new relationship will allow OCEARCH research to be shared with students at Jacksonville University.

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“I am very excited for this new chapter for OCEARCH,” said OCEARCH founding chairman and expedition leader Chris Fischer, who will take on the role of "explorer in residence" at JU. “The vision for OCEARCH was always to institutionalize it so it could live beyond any one individual. This is the first step to having OCEARCH serve scientists, students, communities, the ocean and the planet in perpetuity.”

M/V OCEARCH will be homeported in Jacksonville under the new collaboration.

“We are very proud of this collaboration,” said Jacksonville University president Tim Cost. “Not only will this partnership give our students extraordinary opportunities, it will expand the strength of the marine sciences program, making it a robust platform for scientific research and (advancing) our university’s mission to be nationally and internationally recognized for such unique programs and student success. We expect it will attract worldwide recognition to the Northeast Florida region as an academic and research hub.”

JU also has a Marine Science Research Institute, which offers real-world research experience on the environment and sustainable practices.

Some students said they are excited as they have the opportunity to now collaborate with an internationally recognized research effort.

Cox Media Group