Waynesburg University’s Department of Biology, Environmental Science and Health Science is organizing an exciting educational trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama, for marine biology students during the spring 2026 semester.
Led by Dr. Christian Hayes, assistant professor of biology and director of marine science, and Dr. Tracy Dohn-Cummins, associate professor of biology, the week-long trip will offer students a unique opportunity to conduct hands-on field work alongside marine scientists and graduate students at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. While there, they will assist in a number of ongoing research projects aimed at enhancing the understanding and conservation of coastal ecosystems.
“Through this experience, students in the program will learn valuable research skills in marine field work which will aid them greatly as they think about future career aspirations and apply for jobs and internships,” explained Dr. Hayes. “This trip will also contribute to ongoing research in the Gulf of Mexico to better understand and care for important coastal ecosystems that support local economies.”
Dauphin Island Sea Lab is located on a 35-acre campus on the eastern end of Dauphin Island and is surrounded by Mobile Bay, the Mississippi Sound and the Gulf of Mexico, providing an optimal location for conducting research on a broad range of marine life.
During their time at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, students will learn biological field techniques and gather data on the diversity of local species in a number of the lab’s facilities, which include a culture lab, wet lab, flow-through mesocosm, marine mammal necropsy center and oyster hatcheries.
The trip will take place over spring break 2026 and is part of a marine biology field techniques course students will be taking at the University over the course of the spring semester.
To raise funds, the Department has established an academic campaign for the University’s crowdfunding event Orange Week, which will take place Friday, March 14, through Friday, March 21. The fundraising goal for this year is $2,500 and will help cover housing, transportation, gas and food for 10 marine biology students and two faculty members. All donations received for the Department’s campaign during Orange Week will directly benefit this initiative.
For more information, please contact Dr. Hayes at christian.hayes@waynesburg.edu. To learn more about Dauphin Island Sea Lab, visit https://www.disl.edu/about/.
Marine Field Work in Alabama
DISL Scientists conduct electrofishing field work in an Alabama estuary. This is just one field technique Waynesburg University students could have the opportunity to learn during a trip experience like this. Photos courtesy of Samantha Smith, 2025.
Donate during Orange Week
Donate to the Department of Biology, Environmental Science and Health Science's Orange Week campaign at the link below.
