1. Title Conservation and Biology of Protected Species Using Remote Sensing Capabilities at Elizabeth City State University

Dr. Linda Hayden, PI Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Room 114, Lester Hall Elizabeth City State University, Box 672, 1704 Weeksville Rd. Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-3696 haydenl@mindspring.com

Dr. William Porter, Co-PI Department of Geological, Environmental and Marine Sciences Rm 409, Jimmy R. Jenkins Science Center Elizabeth City State University, Box 672, Weeksville Rd. Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-3451 waporter@mail.ecsu.edu

Dr. Kevin Chu, Co-PI c/o CERSER, Elizabeth City State University, Box 672, Weeksville Rd. Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (252) 335-3572 kchu01@netscape.net

3. Funding Request: $83,197 per year for three years. The total requested is $249,591.

4. Project Period: Starting Date: July 1, 2003. Ending Date: June 30, 2006

5. Objectives, Methodology, and Rationale: This project is intended to increase the number of persons with minority backgrounds who pursue careers as entrepreneurs or research scientists using remote sensing technology. We hope to accomplish two complementary objectives with this project. First, we seek to provide undergraduate students at Elizabeth City State University with instruction, hands-on training and research experience in the use of remote sensing while providing NOAA and other laboratories with summer interns who are able to make a significant contribution to ongoing research projects. Second we plan to provide educational and training opportunities in the study of protected species behavior using remote sensing. We propose an innovative approach to these internships, in which potential supervisors would be invited to serve as guest lecturers in remote sensing and students would “shadow” potential summer supervisors during the school year. This contact will begin the relationship well before the summer research begins, which will make both students and scientists more willing to undertake the internship. Partnerships include NOAA’s NMFS, NESDIS/NCDC and Fisheries Oceanography and Ecology Team at the Beaufort Laboratory. ECSU would hire a program manager who will work with NOAA and staff of the Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) to ensure that its students are conversant with these skills. Seminars by the ECSU Small Business and technology Development Center (SBTDC) will provide training in critical thinking and entrepreneurship. Students will be involved in both summer internships and academic year training in use of AVHRR Sea Surface Temperature data in determining the presence of protected species.