Research results on the causes and impacts of the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic, or 'dead' zone, were featured during a panel discussion on Ocean Hypoxia held in conjunction with the 39^th session of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP). This United Nations Develop Programme event featured Dr. Nancy Rabalais of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, whose decades-long research into the causes of the Gulf hypoxic zone has formed the foundation for actions of the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force. Her studies are sponsored by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.

Also participating was Dr. Peter Thomas (University of Texas Marine Science Institute) whose ground-breaking research into the sub-lethal endocrine and reproductive impacts from hypoxia has initiated a new paradigm in assessing hypoxia impacts. Both researchers are funded under the NCCOS Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Hypoxia Assessment, or NGOMEX Program. The special session on Ocean Hypoxia was held on April 18 at the United Nations in New York, NY.