Dr. Kelly Lucas

Associate Vice President for Research for Coastal Operations and Director of the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center | The University of Southern Mississippi

Lucas promotes and guides USM’s vision and mission for research, creates innovative, multidisciplinary research opportunities and expands the research portfolio through partnerships with industry, government, academic partner institutions and non-profit organizations.  She serves on the board of Stronger America through Seafood and recently served as the Chair (2018-2019) for the Gulf of Mexico University Research Collaborative.   Prior to joining USM in December 2016, Lucas served as the first Chief Scientific Officer for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources where she was responsible for ensuring the agency was using the best available science to make policy decisions. 

Lucas is a Mississippi Gulf Coast native and holds a Doctoral degree in coastal science from USM, a Master of Business Administration from University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Mississippi State University. She served as Deputy Director of USM’s Gulf Coast Geospatial Center. In addition, Lucas was a USM Science Fellow in the Office of Senator Thad Cochran advising on ocean and atmosphere legislation and policy. She has written and co-authored numerous scientific publications and has been instrumental in creating industry partnerships and securing grant funding.