Welcome to Duke Marine Lab

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Welcome

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The Duke University Marine Laboratory is Duke's year-round coastal research and teaching campus, located in Beaufort, North Carolina, 180 miles east of main campus. Our research is multi-faceted and interdisciplinary, reflecting the complex problems faced by the world's oceans. We train students at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels, and emphasize small classes, intensive research experiences, and immersive field work. Undergraduates represent a variety of majors, including environmental science, earth & ocean sciences, biology, engineering, and students preparing to become health professionals. We welcome students from Duke and beyond to join us in understanding our oceans, the life they support, and the human communities that depend on them.Before we get started, let me explain the many ways you can explore our beautiful space. -You can click on the forward facing arrow to start walking around. -You can jump to the next stop by clicking on the "Next" button. -Now, if you already know where you want to go, you can select any location by using the list OR by clicking directly on the map. -Lastly, remember that you can explore any particular location in more detail by clicking the supplemental icons.

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The Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing (MaRRS) Lab is a cutting-edge teaching and engineering space located in our recently renovated historic Boathouse. The lab hosts faculty, staff, and students interested in conducting marine science and conservation missions using modern robotics and remote sensing techniques. It maintains a fleet of aerial drones, terrestrial rovers, boats and submersibles, and is staffed by a diverse multi-national group of experts working locally, nationally and internationally. The lab provides students with a unique opportunity to explore pursuits that pair emerging technologies with their scientific passions. Student projects often result in peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals or presentations at scientific conferences.

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Undergraduate students live in on-campus housing during their time at the marine lab. There are 5 cottage-style houses centered around our picturesque Quad. We can house up to 100 students at a time. The quad offers an open area where pick-up soccer games and Frisbee are common sites. At the west end of the quad is the Dining Hall, which serves three meals a day, year round.

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The Repass Ocean Conservation Center is a multi-use facility that houses a laboratory classroom, a lecture hall, common spaces and an outdoor viewing deck. The laboratory is used for courses like Physics, Organic Chemistry and Molecular Biology. The classroom is used for courses like Marine Mammals, Marine Policy and Conservation Biology and Policy, as well as for community events and weekly seminars. Video conferencing technology keeps us connected to events and speakers at Environment Hall on Duke's main campus. Repass is LEED Platinum certified and has green features such as solar panels, geothermal wells, green roof, and a cistern to recycle rainwater.

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The Orrin Pilkey Research Lab features a state-of-the art laboratory which houses the latest in high-tech equipment for molecular biology and ecology research. This building houses 3 faculty members, offices for our PhD students, a classroom and common spaces, as well as several decks to take advantage of the beautiful views of Taylors Creek, the Intracoastal Waterway, downtown Beaufort, and the Rachel Carson Research Reserve. Many undergraduates participate in research independent study and become members of a lab group, utilizing our shared lab space for their research. With its natural sunlight, low-flow water plumbing, and locally sourced construction materials, the Pilkey building is LEED Gold certified.

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The R/V Kirby Smith is an 18-passenger skiff that is used to transport students and local field trips for classes and research. The Kirby Smith operates in inshore waters and is well suited to exploring shallow water and marsh environments. In the background is the town of Beaufort, which was established as a fishing village in 1709 and is the third oldest town in North Carolina. Beaufort is a popular vacation destination with its rich maritime history, a museum, and an abundance of shops, art galleries & restaurants.

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Across from the Marine Lab is the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve. This stretch of protected coastline covers more than 2,000 acres. Six ecosystems are found on the reserve: beaches, salt marshes, oyster reefs, seagrasses, dunes and maritime forests. Organisms found in these habitats include a variety of invertebrates, sharks and rays, fish, and as many as 30 wild horses. Students and faculty conduct field experiments in these systems to test for the effects of climate change and other environmental forces, such as predators.

Welcome to Duke Marine Lab

Welcome

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Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing (MaRRS) Lab

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The Quad

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Marguerite Kent Repass Ocean Conservation Center

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Orrin Pilkey Research Lab

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R/V Kirby Smith

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Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve

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