A SC State University Public Service & Agriculture researcher is pioneering a fleet of affordable aquatic drones to protect the state’s most at-risk coastal areas, addressing the intersection of advanced robotics and environmental justice ecosystems.
Dr. Hemanth Dakshinamurthy, a research scientist with the 1890 Research & Extension Program, has been awarded a $499,328 1890 capacity-building grant. Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the grant supports the development of a low-cost unmanned surface vehicle designed to strengthen water quality monitoring in South Carolina’s most vulnerable estuaries and elevate quality of life for South Carolinians.
“Estuaries are where fresh river water meets the ocean and the ecosystem thrives,” Dakshinamurthy said. “They support jobs, protect public health and sustain families. When water quality declines, it impacts environmental health, human health and economic stability across South Carolina.”
South Carolina’s estuaries are experiencing record levels of fecal coliform bacteria, forcing temporary closures of more than one-third of the state’s coastal shellfish harvesting areas. Those closures directly affect mariculture producers and coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on clean water.
“Our current systems cannot always capture what is happening in real time across wide coastal regions,” Dakshinamurthy said. “This unmanned surface vehicle will deliver continuous, high-resolution data to help identify pollution sources faster and support informed decision-making.”
Beyond strengthening environmental resilience, the project advances environmental justice for the Gullah-Geechee Nation, where fishing remains both an economic resource and a cultural cornerstone.
“For the Gullah-Geechee community, fishing is heritage and identity,” he said. “If we can provide reliable data and communicate openly, we empower communities to protect traditions passed down for generations.”
The grant expands research capacity at South Carolina State, providing students and early-career investigators with hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
Through field research, inter-university collaboration and industry partnerships, the initiative prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers while strengthening institutional capacity.
scientists and engineers while strengthening institutional capacity. “This is my first funded project for which I serve as principal investigator,” Dakshinamurthy said. “I feel excitement, responsibility and purpose. I am at SC State to create a meaningful impact. Protecting our waters and contributing to the well-being of South Carolinians is how we elevate quality of life across our state.”
“Dr. Dakshinamurthy’s work reflects the forward-thinking research that defines South Carolina State University’s 1890 land-grant mission,” said Dr. Louis Whitesides, vice president for SC State University Public Service & Agriculture and executive director for 1890 Research & Extension. By combining innovative technology with environmental stewardship, this project advances scientific discovery while creating opportunities for our students to engage in cutting-edge research that directly benefits South Carolina’s coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.”
To learn more, visit https://scsu.edu/psa
