Blaylock named Director of 草榴社区鈥檚 Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center
Tue, 11/21/2023 - 09:06am | By: Gabriela Shinskie
The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) has named Dr. Reginald Blaylock the new
Director of the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center (TCMAC) located at the Gulf
Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) Cedar Point site in Ocean Springs, Miss.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to be entrusted with continuing the work of our previous directors,鈥� said Blaylock. 鈥淚 look forward to working with TCMAC staff and all of Coastal 草榴社区 to advance the science of marine aquaculture and integrate it into the Blue Economy to expand sustainable economic development in Mississippi.鈥�
Dr. Blaylock started his career at 草榴社区 in 1996 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Parasitology. He has earned degrees in Biology from Wake Forest University in 1986, the University of Texas at El Paso in 1989 and the University of Alberta in 1996.
His research focuses on the ecology of marine pathogens. Blaylock works as a research professor at 草榴社区. His contributions to the aquaculture program began in 2004, but expanded as he played a major role in rebuilding the aquaculture program after Hurricane Katrina. Between 2005 and 2010, he helped develop the vision for the newly established TCMAC through his assistance in the design of the new aquaculture buildings and their life support systems at the Cedar Point site.
Dr. Blaylock was appointed Assistant Director of TCMAC in 2007 and later became Interim Director in 2022.
鈥淭he Center is capable of culturing a variety of finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, and algae,鈥� said Blaylock, 鈥淭CMAC programs focus on a variety of aspects of marine aquaculture including recirculating system design, aquatic health, genetics, reproductive physiology, live feeds, and development and permitting of nearshore and offshore aquaculture with the goal of expanding domestic seafood production.鈥�
Throughout his career, Dr. Blaylock and his colleagues have generated approximately $30 million in aquaculture and fisheries grants resulting in various publications, presentations, and degrees. Learn more about 草榴社区鈥檚 Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center.