History of UTMSI to be discussed at lecture Thursday at Pioneer RV

A panel of speakers from The University of Texas Marine Science Institute will discuss the stories that shaped UTMSI for more than 75 years on Thursday, March 3, at a lecture sponsored by UTMSI.

The talk will be held at the Pioneer Beach RV Resort recreation hall, 120 Gulfwind Drive.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 7 p.m.

Joan Holt is professor emerita of marine science. She received her bachelor of science and master of science in biology from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Ph.D. in wildlife and fisheries from Texas A&M University-College Station, said a press release from UTMSI.

Holt was with UTMSI for more than 35 years as a researcher, teacher and administrator. She was director of the UTMSI Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory for 10 years, holding the Perry R. Bass Chair in Fisheries and Mariculture. Associate chair of marine science from 2011 to 2012, and interim director from 2012 to 2013. Her research has provided a model for understanding the role of early life history in maintaining healthy fish populations, the release said. She has been part of ground-breaking research, including the captive spawning and rearing of redfish, spotted seatrout and Southern flounder, according to the release.

Another panelist will be Rick Tinnin, who retired after 36 years with UTMSI.

The release said he earned bachelor and master degrees in marine science and geology from Texas A& I University in Kingsville. He received a doctorate in science education and marine science from UT Austin.

Tinnin created the Marine Education Services program at UTMSI in 1974, and the Wetlands Education Center (WEC) at the UTMSI campus in Port Aransas.

He served as president of the Texas Marine Educators Association and was president of the National Marine Education Association. He was the first education coordinator for the Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).

The third panelist is Sally Palmer, communication coordinator for UTMSI.

Palmer earned her master’s in marine science from UT- Austin. She graduated from Flour Bluff High School, where her ties to UTMSI began on an R/V Katy trip. She transitioned from graduate student at UTMSI to NERR director for eight years to her current position.

Palmer handles all communications for UTMSI, from social media to distilling science into stories with impact, the release said. She also has been involved in hurricane recovery and associated project management.

During her time at the university, she has been the primary grant writer, and often principle investigator, for over $31 million dollars in funding for administration, research and construction of educational facilities.

For more information and disability accommodations, call Adriana Reza at (361) 749-3152.