Research & Facilities

• Coastal and wetlands studies
• Marine biomedical and environmental physiology
• Marine biotechnology and aquaculture
• Oceanography

The university's laboratories contain modern equipment that enables study in disciplines as diverse as molecular and cellular biology, light and electron microscopy, organismal biology and behavior, and ecology.

Our faculty and students, both undergraduate and graduate, are involved in some of the university's major research programs.

Undeveloped barrier islands are located within a short distance of the university, as are two estuarine sanctuaries that provide broad expanses of coastal marsh. Wilmington and the surrounding area contain large wetland ecosystems, as well as an expansive tidal swamp associated with the Cape Fear River estuary.

Classroom and laboratory instruction is supplemented by field trips to adjacent oceanic, estuarine and terrestrial natural laboratories including the on-campus Bluthenthal Wildflower Preserve and nearby Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve. 

Dillaman Bioimaging Facility 

The Richard M. Dillaman Bioimaging Facility at UNCW is a student-centered facility that serves all departments across the College of Science and Engineering at UNCW.

The facility is located in Dobo Hall in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology and supports a wide portfolio of faculty research from neuroscience to geoscience. It is dedicated to teaching and training that underpins undergraduate applied learning and graduate research.

The facility runs courses in electron microscopy and bioimaging for credit, and research students are also individually trained in every aspect of sample preparation and equipment operation in order to independently conduct their imaging research.

Kresge Greenhouse 

The department maintains a 2,250-square-foot greenhouse, a vertebrate range, and a herbarium. 

The greenhouse provides facilities for faculty and student research projects and for laboratory exercises. The vertebrate range allows preparation and storage of vertebrate research and teaching collections. 

The herbarium is the repository for dried collections of algae, fungi, bryophytes and vascular plants. 

Equipment Fleet

Boats ranging from 13 to 25 feet are available through the Center for Marine Science for coastal research. CMS also operates the 63-foot R/V Cape Fear.

UNCW’s strategic commitment to world-class operations is exhibited with the addition of an All American Marine-made, cutting-edge research vessel to its fleet. Expertly designed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, this new vessel will measure 73 feet long and 26.7 feet in beam. With twin engines, the propeller-driven it is engineered to serve as a versatile research platform, capable of supporting an array of innovative scientific missions.  

Learn More

UNCW students and faculty are studying the effect of climate change on the Arctic ice ecosystem in the Fram Strain - on a cruise north of the Arctic circle! 

Check out their research efforts

Other Videos to Watch

• Marine Mammal Stranding Program
• Plant Systematics
• Marine Sponge Ecology
• Antibiotic Discovery
• Ornithology

Visit our faculty page to find out more about the current research happening in our department.

Members noted as *Graduate faculty* have open and active research labs that may have a space for new students to work or volunteer in. Please check out any liked websites for additional information on their specific research. They can be reached via their listed email addresses and phone numbers.