Florida Tech Joins Ocean Science Consortium

Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies Based at University of Miami

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology has joined the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), a consortium funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which brings together the research and educational resources of universities in Florida and the Caribbean to increase scientific understanding of Earth’s oceans and atmosphere.

Under a new cooperative agreement that added Florida Tech to the roster of participating universities, NOAA awarded CIMAS up to $125 million in funding for the next five years. Other participating universities are Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Puerto Rico, University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of the Virgin Islands and University of Miami, where CIMAS is based.

The institute’s current research priorities include improved hurricane forecasting, facilitating the implementation of ecosystem-based ocean management, prediction of climate on increasingly short time scales and support of the Global Ocean Observing System.

“Florida Tech is honored to be a member of the CIMAS consortium,” said Tristan J. Fiedler, associate vice president in the university’s Office of Research. “The achievements of our faculty in climate research, ocean and atmospheric modeling, marine biology, and ecosystem protection will now directly contribute to this world-class institute’s educational and research priorities.”

For Florida Tech inquiries related to CIMAS, contact Fiedler at 321-674-7723 or fiedler@fit.edu.

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