CSULB’s Marine Biology Program honored the late Professor Donald R. Nelson, a pioneering researcher and shark expert, when it dedicated a new research vessel in his name on Nov. 4. Nelson founded the university’s Shark Lab in 1966 and died in 1997.

Nearly 100 guests attended the event at the Cerritos Bahia Marina in Long Beach, which included a traditional toast, led by Dr. Raymond Wilson, to the four winds and to St. Brendan, patron saint of mariners. Faculty member Gwen Goodmanlowe and Samantha Brady, Nelson’s granddaughter, conducted the customary champagne christening.

The research vessel D. R. Nelson is a 25-foot Parker with a range of about 300 miles. It is the fourth and largest boat in the fleet that supports research and training in the nationally recognized CSULB marine biology program.

CCDott Receives $4.2 Million from U.S. Defense Department

CSULB has been awarded $4.2 million in the form of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense through the Office of Naval Research to support the Center for the Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies (CCDoTT) in its ongoing 2005 fiscal year program.

Funding received under this agreement will be directed to developing technologies considered suitable for dual-use applications involving commercial and military ocean transport interests, as well as defense related programs involving Force Transformation and Force Projection.

“We are pleased that the Department of Defense through the Office of Naval Research has reaffirmed its support and confidence in the CCDoTT organization’s efforts to leverage technologies associated with emerging High Speed Ship systems, Agile and Inland Port concepts and improved intermodal cargo movement and management in support of both commercial and military interests,” President F. King Alexander said. He conveyed his thanks to U.S. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Juanita Millender-McDonald, together with Sens. Daniel Inouye, Dianne Feinstein and, in particular, Barbara Boxer, for their efforts in securing 2005 fiscal year CCDoTT program funding.

Over the past decade, CCDoTT has undertaken contractual efforts involving universities and commercial maritime technical organizations.