The research program at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is still in its infancy but growing very rapidly. In the field, we currently have projects focusing on the assessment of the nesting population of sea turtles through nest monitoring and saturation tagging, Human Impact Studies, DNA analysis and effects of invasive fire ants on eggs and hatchlings. We are leading an effort to standardize diagnostic protocols for sea turtle stranding events in the Southeastern US, for example Debilitated Turtle Syndrome and Neurologic Loggerhead Syndrome, and are working to establish a baseline health and nutritional diagnostics in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) to look at chelonian health and disease issues. Furthermore, we have provided expertise, staff and volunteers for ongoing studies in the Caribbean focusing on leatherback and hawksbill sea turtle health.  And we gather and analyze data from satellite tagging and telemetry on eligible rehabilitated sea turtles to study migration and behavior.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is involved with many multi-institutional collaborations including research on alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii), gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), Barbour’s map turtles (Graptemys barbouri), Eastern indigo snakes (Drymarhon couperi), and American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliates). We also provide anesthetic, surgical and other veterinary expertise for a variety of research projects being conducted throughout Georgia. In conjunction with these efforts, we established a diamondback terrapin road mortality conservation program on Jekyll Island in 2007. We are also involved with the newly formed Georgia SEANET Program, a multi-institutional collaboration to monitor marine bird health and disease along our coast. And we provide veterinary oversight to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources marine mammal stranding program and assists the National Marine Fisheries Service in Northern right whale (Balaena glacialis) conservation in Georgia and Florida.