In recognition of his work in microbiology, Georgia College & State University Associate Professor of Biology, Dave Bachoon, is the recipient of a research grant from the University of Puerto Rico 2007 Sea Grant College Program. Worth over $150,000, the grant is awarded for completive research in the area of marine conservation.

Overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the Sea Grant College Program distributes grants to varying areas of research in the United States and the Caribbean. The grant received by Bachoon, focuses on his research to develop new microbial source tracking methods for rapid molecular detection of fecal pollution in marine environments.

Working in conjunction with the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and the University of Puerto Rico, Bachoon, as Principle Investigator, will strive to quantify and identify the source of fecal pollution impacting the marine environments of the Caribbean and suggest ways to prevent it.

Bachoon says, “this will give us the opportunity to study the effect of fecal pollution in marine environments on a larger scale and develop ways to prevent it in order to protect these fragile ecosystems for use by native marine wildlife and humans.”

In 2004, Bachoon was also the recipient of a Georgia Sea Grant College Program award of $117,000 for conducting microbiological research on the detection of fecal pollution along the Georgia coast. After his success in this research, he submitted a proposal for this grant and was one of the six chosen, out of 61 research proposals, to receive funding.

Bachoon will be working with his biology students on the project. “You are always very happy to receive a grant. It will give our students a chance to collaborate with students from other countries and increase their knowledge through experience. We hope that this grant, will lead to more and larger grants to promote our research expertise.”