Pallone Secures $625,000 for Monmouth University to Support Ecological and Coastal Resilience

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that he secured $625,000 for Monmouth University in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science spending bill. President Biden signed the underlying legislation into law last week.

The funding will support scientists and students at the university’s Urban Coast Institute, which will work together with NOAA James J. Howard Sciences Laboratory at Sandy Hook to study the impacts of environmental change on marine habitats and living marine resources around the Sandy Hook peninsula. The funding will also help student interns from underserved backgrounds participate in research activities and projects.

“I’m proud to announce today that I’ve secured federal funding for Monmouth University to support its work on coastal resilience and climate change. This funding will allow the university to build on its excellent research reputation on coastal issues as it bolsters its mission to serve students from diverse backgrounds,” said Pallone. “This funding will also support the university’s Urban Coast Institute, so that we can better understand the impact of the climate crisis on marine wildlife and habitats. I’m glad we were able to get this project across the finish line.”

“Funding for this project will provide critical research in assessing the impact of climate change on marine species, and their habitats, in the lower Hudson-Raritan estuary using traditional collection and cutting-edge marine environmental-DNA techniques,” said Patrick Leahy, Monmouth University President. “Monmouth University will couple this research working with the NOAA James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sandy Hook to engage underserved students through diversity internships that build on existing inclusive internship programs. We appreciate the support from Congressman Pallone to fund this important work for the region and the research opportunity for our students.”

“It has been an honor and a privilege to host NOAA’s IN FISH inclusive internship program on Monmouth’s campus the past two years, and to contribute to the important task of increasing the participation of diverse and underrepresented students in marine science,” said Jason Adolf, Endowed Professor of Marine Science. “We look forward to expanding these educational programs and research in collaboration with our colleagues at the NOAA Sandy Hook Lab.”