Through the combined efforts of numerous Dominican Republic organizations, university departments, professors, students, and other individuals, the IU Underwater Science hopes to bring to light some exciting new discoveries regarding the impact of Columbus's arrival in the New World.

This 15th and 16th century research focuses on not just historic underwater archaeology, but also land-based archaeology, artifact conservation, prehistoric archaeology, geology, and archival research. In the Dominican Republic, investigations are currently taking place in La Isabela, Punta Cana, and the East National Park.