A Synthesis of Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Growth and Calcification Responses Under Changing Environmental Conditions

Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are foundational reef builders and ecosystem engineers that provide habitat complexity, enhance biodiversity, and influence biogeochemical cycles by shifting local carbonate chemistry in estuaries along the U.S. Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. However, the environmental ranges governing oyster shell growth and calcification rates remain poorly constrained because available studies vary in the metrics quantified, experimental settings, and spatial coverage. We synthesized existing literature on C. virginica growth and calcification, assessing directional responses to changing environmental conditions. Variability in ecological, spatial, and temporal scales among studies and disparities between laboratory and field-based measurements complicate direct comparisons. Despite heterogeneity in the synthesized data, consistent patterns emerged; shell growth limitations were common at salinities below ~ 12 in U.S. Gulf of Mexico populations, and calcification declines were frequently observed under acidified conditions (pH < 7.7) in U.S. Atlantic populations. By summarizing patterns across life stages, regions, and study types, we highlight environmental stressors likely to impair oyster reef resilience and function. A more integrative research approach, incorporating both individual- and reef-scale processes across experimental and natural settings, is critical for refining predictions of oyster reef resilience. Standardized methodologies and interdisciplinary frameworks will enhance our ability to quantify the role of oyster reefs in carbon cycling and assess their response to future environmental stressors.Open access funding provided by Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. This research was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship under Award #NA24NOSX420C0017, the United States Department of Agriculture under Award #NR217442XXXXC022, and the Coastal Conservation Association

Impact of Perkinsus marinus on Oyster Health: Survey Findings After a Regional Data Gap

Oyster reefs worldwide are experiencing a concerning decline, driven not only by overharvesting but also by parasites and diseases that threaten oyster and estuarine health. Here, the effects of the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus, which is known to cause dermo disease, were assessed after a 7-y gap in data gathering in a known infection center in the Gulf of Mexico: Galveston Bay (Texas). Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were collected from four sites across the bay from September to November of 2022 (a weak La Niña year) and 2023 (a strong El Niño year). Surveys revealed much higher infection levels (prevalence, infection intensity, and weighted prevalence) across almost all sites in 2023 compared with 2022. These high infection levels were likely driven by warm and saline conditions resulting from local droughts and potentially linked to large-scale climatic events. Parasite levels in 2023 resembled historical peaks reported in the late 1990s and early 2010s. High infections of P. marinus were also associated with poorest condition of the soft tissue and lower oyster quality, with temperature and oyster size as additional confounding factors. Given the potential for climate change to exacerbate conditions conducive to the reproduction of P. marinus, frequent monitoring is critical to understanding mortality trends associated with parasite outbreaks. This study provides information on recent parasite levels impacting oyster health and their links to local and large-scale climatic events to support scientists and resource managers in the restoration and conservation of estuarine ecosystems

The creation and utility of a mobile application as a reporting tool in the charter for-hire fishery

Objective: One of the most difficult aspects of recreational fisheries management is the ability to collect and have immediate access to fisheries-dependent data. The advent of smart devices has created a novel way to collect self-reported data. Working with 16 for-hire vessel captains from across the Gulf of Mexico, we developed an electronic logbook application, iSnapper, to test the quality and quantity of data that an app could provide for researchers and fisheries managers. Methods: Captains tested iSnapper by recording catch and effort data on a tablet or smartphone during the 2011 recreational Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus fishing season (June 1, 2011–July 18, 2011) and provided recreational anglers aboard those vessels with the oppor tunity to participate in a voluntary socioeconomic survey. Submitted trips were validated by comparing the app data to those collected at dockside creels. Results: During the 6-week trial, 17,926 fish were caught, from a total of 60 species, with Red Snapper comprising most of the catch (61%). Red Snapper had a reported discard rate of 38%, with 86% of those reported to be released alive. Over 70% of trips with reported depths were fishing between 30 and 59 m. Validation of harvest data showed no major differences between independent creel surveys and data reported to the iSnapper program. Conclusions: Overall, we demonstrated that an electronic reporting app such as iSnapper can produce high-quality and valid catch data for use by fishery managers. These electronic reporting apps could also be used to help with data gaps in recreational fisheries where little or no data are currently being collectedFunding for this study was provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service Cooperative Research Program, Grant #NA10NMF4540111

Evaluating the weathering and transport of plastic nurdles along the north- and southwestern Gulf of Mexico coasts

Plastic nurdles, as small resin pellets, are a significant pollutant across the north- and southwestern Gulf of Mexico (America) coasts from Texas to the Yucatán Peninsula. This study identified the potential source of nurdle pollution using a combination of chemical analysis and numerical modeling. Chemical data of the nurdles collected from over 70 sites from Houston to the Yucatán Peninsula during 2021–2024 revealed distinct patterns in polymer type, color distribution, and weathering status, providing strong evidence for Texas as the primary source of these nurdles. Color distribution results showed that white nurdles, representative of fresher nurdles, dominated the Texas sites and more weathered, yellow nurdles, were found in Mexico regions. This color trend suggests an increased surface degradation as nurdles move southward. Analysis through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows polyethylene (PE) as the dominant polymer across all sampled sites, showcasing a linked homogeny through the regions, and the data were further used to build chemical weathering indices, which provided a way of quantifying the degree of oxidation nurdles have undergone. Results showed that the Mexico nurdles had higher indices than those in Texas, reinforcing the hypothesis that the Mexico nurdles have undergone longer environmental exposure. Physical oceanographic modeling, incorporating wave and current dynamics, confirmed that nurdles released from Texas can be transported to Mexican coastlines, while nurdles released from Mexico do not reach deep into the US. shorelines due to strong prevalent downcoast currents along the inner shelf. This movement pattern, together with chemical and weathering evidence, strongly supports Texas as the primary source of nurdle pollution along the gulf coast. Identification of the pollutant source will assist management practices and international cooperation to tackle nurdle pollution

Open Access Publication Fund Annual Report: 2024 - 2025

The Open Access Publication Fund at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi underwrites author publication charges for open access scholarly journal articles, book chapters, and monographs. The fund seeks to encourage greater participation in open access publishing so that Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s research is free of subscription barriers, and we support the adoption of open science practices that can help sustain Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s status as an R2 Doctoral University. Numerous research studies show that OA publishing increases the visibility of publications, thereby increasing visibility, citations, and the use of faculty research all of which enhance the reputation of TAMU-CC, its faculty, and researchers. Major outcomes for 2024 - 2025: • The Open Access Publication Fund distributed funds for 61 faculty, staff, and graduate students from all six colleges as well as the Harte Research Institute, the Conrad Blucher Institute, and the Center for Water Supply Studies. • The Open Access Publication Fund supported the publication fees for 27articles and one book chapter for a total amount of funding distributed of $60,000. • In the five years since the fund was started,$229,500 has been pledged by various funding partners to defray open access publication costs for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi researchers.Mary and Jeff Bell Library, TAMU-CC Office of the Provost, TAMU-CC Division of Research and Innovation, Harte Research Institute, TAMU-C

Conference proceedings & award winners: 2025 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities

Dear Students, Colleagues, and Friends, Welcome to the 2025 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities! Today, we come together to celebrate curiosity, creativity, and the bold pursuit of new ideas. This symposium is more than just an event—it is a space for discovery, dialogue, and the exchange of knowledge that pushes boundaries and sparks innovation. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the success of this symposium. Your support and dedication create opportunities for students to explore, challenge assumptions, and grow as scholars and creators. To all participants—this is your platform to share your insights, connect with peers, and gain fresh perspectives. Dive into discussions, embrace new challenges, and make the most of this opportunity. We hope this experience ignites your passion and fuels your journey toward future discoveries! Sincerely, Members of the SSIRCA Organizing CommitteeDivision of Research & Innovation, Global Institute for Hispanic Health, Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue, Steel Dynamics, Art Museum of South Texas, Autonomy Research Institute, College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Liberal Arts, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Science, Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science, Harte Research Institute, and School of Arts, Media, and Communication

To stay or go: movement behavior, and habitat use of shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Gulf of Mexico

Shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are apex predators in marine ecosystems, yet the North Atlantic stock has declined drastically. Despite their imperiled status, limited research has focused on the movement and habitat use of mature individuals in the Gulf of Mexico (also known as Gulf of America; hereafter Gulf), a region hypothesized to serve as gestation and parturition grounds. From 2016 to 2021, 21 mako sharks (90% mature or nearing maturity) were satellite-tagged in the northwestern Gulf to evaluate habitat suitability, move persistence, and the environmental drivers influencing these patterns. This study revealed year-round habitat use in the Gulf, particularly in the northwestern Gulf west of the central stem of the Mississippi River delta (~89.1°W), identifying this area as a previously unrecognized important habitat. Mako sharks exhibited resident behavior in productive shelf and shelf-slope waters and at sea surface temperatures (SSTs) between 19.6°C and 26°C, while transiting behavior was observed at SSTs >26°C and in migration corridors, such as the Loop Current, during movements through the Yucatá n Channel or Straits of Florida. These findings highlight intra-population variability in movement and emphasize the need to manage these highly migratory species at the ocean-basin scale. Developing spatially explicit models that incorporate regional connectivity and environmental drivers will be essential for improving management strategies and rebuilding efforts for this vulnerable species

Relationships among instructional leadership, school socioeconomic levels and student achievement

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student achievement test scores and certain principal behaviors and how that relationship may vary with school socioeconomic context. This purpose springs from a line of investigation that explores (l) school effects on student achievement, (2) effective schools research, (3) principal effects on student achievement, and (4) context effects. The study was a statewide effort drawing responses from teachers from elementary campuses according to predetermined parameters that included school configuration, principal tenure, percent economically disadvantaged, and scores on a state-mandated assessment instrument. Teachers from identified schools were asked to rate the degree to which their principal implemented the 34 instructional leadership behaviors as contained in the Instructional Activity Questionnaire. Major findings of this study included: (l) With schools at both extremes in SES settings included in the analysis principal behaviors are significantly related to reading and math achievement, but the relationship may be due to the SES setting's influence on both principal behavior ratings and student achievement, and (2) When analyses are conducted separately for schools at the extremes in SES settings principal behaviors are more strongly related ~o student achievement at low SES schools than high SES schools, but the relationship for high SES schools may be constrained by effects of a test ceiling.Educational Leadership, Curriculum & InstructionCollege of Liberal Art

Enterprise risk management, financial reporting and firm operations

We examine financial reporting and firm operations, focusing specifically on the roles of ‘enterprise risk management’ (ERM), within which a holistic approach is taken to the conceptualization and management of all types of risk. We measure ERM implementation based on information obtained from 2004–2014 financial reports on 648 firms. We find that ERM implementation is associated with higher reporting quality and reduced volatility in future firm performance in terms of both operating cash flows and stock returns. Our difference-in-differences analyses indicate that these associations were strengthened by the introduction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) final rule in 2010, requiring increased and improved disclosure related to risk oversight. Our findings, which we attribute to the incremental effects of ERM and enhanced risk disclosure over time, point to the substantial advantages of ERM and the importance of related disclosure, which should prove to be of interest to firms as well as policymakers

Pricing the audit risk of innovation: Intangibles and patents

The economic literature documents that the investment rate in intangible assets, including intellectual property (IP), has far outpaced that of tangible assets for several decades. In this context, our research delves into the impact of self-created intangible assets on the auditor’s risk assessment. We present compelling evidence that, on average, research and development (R&D) knowledge capital is associated with higher audit fees. Using patent-based metrics as the proxies for innovation outcomes, we reveal that the number of patents (quantity), patent citations (quality-adjusted quantity), and patent technology classes (scope) all positively correlate with audit fees. Additional analyses show that innovation efficiency is negatively associated with audit fees. Furthermore, firms with a higher intensity of knowledge capital are more likely to receive going concern opinions than those with significant innovation outcomes. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between intangible assets and audit risk assessment