# Marine Neurotoxins:  Examining the impacts of a pedagogically focused RET model that explores the interplay of marine biotoxins, commercial shellfish aquaculture, and public health safety

> **NIH NIH R25** · COASTAL MARINE BIOLABS · 2024 · $134,724

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Commercial-scale seafood production in coastal and offshore marine environments is now possible due to
rapidly emerging technical innovations in the field of aquaculture. Marine areas suitable for the development of
offshore aquaculture are currently under evaluation by NOAA's Center for Coastal Ocean Science and include
four study regions in the Southern California Bight. This nationally focused project overlaps with more regional
efforts carried-out by private and public entities to advance bi-valve shellfish aquaculture and thereby
complement southern California's wild-capture fisheries. Apart from its economic benefits to working
waterfront communities and a promising role in bolstering national food security, the expansion of shellfish
aquaculture presents potential risks to public health safety that are linked to naturally occurring biotoxins.
These compounds are produced by certain microalgae and consumed by shellfish destined for commercial
seafood markets, where they present a risk of neurotoxic poisoning for human consumers. This research
education project creates novel opportunities for teachers and students in our coastal communities to explore
the interplay of marine biotoxins, commercial shellfish aquaculture, and public health safety. The project will
unfold in three overlapping phases. During the initial phase of the project, high school science teachers will
participate in a research experience that emulates a traditional university research internship. This introductory
experience is aimed at enhancing teachers' scientific knowledge and subject mastery, and engaging them in
the use of field and laboratory methodologies used in connection with a baseline biotoxin impact study that is
currently underway in our lab. During the second (translational) phase of the project, teachers will collaborate
with our scientists on the creation of a classroom-ready instructional unit aimed at guiding high school students
through a research-oriented exploration of marine biotoxins and their impacts on human health. In addition to
enhancing their scientific knowledge and understanding of science inquiry, this pedagogically focused strand of
the research experience is intended to engage teachers in instructional practices that are widely regarded as
essential for preparing students to participate in the 21st century scientific workforce. Teacher implementation
of the classroom experience during the third project phase will engage high school students in investigational
practices that form the cornerstone of science inquiry and a primary focus of national science education reform
initiatives. During this project phase, students will create a conceptual model to explain the clinical features
presented by patients affected by marine biotoxins. After constructing their models, students will propose a
solution to mitigate the health risks imposed by commercial shellfish aquaculture and conduct hands-on
activities that are routi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10752657
- **Project number:** 5R25ES034928-02
- **Recipient organization:** COASTAL MARINE BIOLABS
- **Principal Investigator:** Ralph Imondi
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $134,724
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-12-09 → 2027-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10752657

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10752657, Marine Neurotoxins:  Examining the impacts of a pedagogically focused RET model that explores the interplay of marine biotoxins, commercial shellfish aquaculture, and public health safety (5R25ES034928-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10752657. Licensed CC0.

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