Joel Kostka, Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor from the School of Biological Sciences and director of Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow (GT²), will lead a new research project aimed at strengthening coastal marsh restoration efforts along Georgia’s coast.
His project was selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed process involving scientific experts, state and local resource managers, and coastal community stakeholders as part of a biennial research competition sponsored by the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, supported by the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program.
“I am excited to continue to contribute to Sea Grant’s critical mission of research that strengthens the resilience of coastal ecosystems,” says Kostka.
Strengthening Coastal Marsh Restoration
Kostka’s team will examine how locally sourced Spartina plants and beneficial root-associated microbes can improve marsh restoration outcomes. The research will evaluate plant growth, stress tolerance, and field performance to identify practical, scalable strategies for supporting coastal ecosystems.
Selected projects are intended to “advance the understanding, management, and strategic use of Georgia’s coastal and marine resources,” while producing results that address coastal management needs and remain accessible to communities, according to an article from Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. In addition to faculty from Georgia Tech, the 2026 research awards will support investigators from Georgia Southern University and Savannah State University.
