Hollings & EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholars present their summer research at NOAA

This summer, 145 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate and 18 Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions Undergraduate Scholars conducted 10-week paid internships with NOAA. The scholars represented more than 85 universities in the United States and conducted their internships in 27 states. The internships culminated with the scholars presenting their results at the annual Science & Education Symposium in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Front row (left to right): Kimberly Clinch, Katharine Shelledy, Taylor Heckman, Gina Li, Char’Mane Robinson, Katrina Rosemond

Back row: Anna Lynn, Meghan Shea, Spencer Showalter, Russel Calendar (NOS AA), Krista Dotterer, Cody Yeary, Jessica McDonald, Austin Hunter, Jin-Si Over, Lucien Simpfendoerfer, Jory Fleming and Alan Gorchov-Negron

Front row (left to right): Kimberly Clinch, Katharine Shelledy, Taylor Heckman, Gina Li, Char’Mane Robinson, Katrina Rosemond Back row: Anna Lynn, Meghan Shea, Spencer Showalter, Russel Calendar (NOS AA), Krista Dotterer, Cody Yeary, Jessica McDonald, Austin Hunter, Jin-Si Over, Lucien Simpfendoerfer, Jory Fleming and Alan Gorchov-Negron (Image credit: NOAA)

A total of 163 student presentations were given over three days, in addition to presentations on future opportunities and networking events for the scholars. For many scholars, the Science & Education Symposium provides a first opportunity to present research in front of scientists and peers and receive constructive feedback. NOAA Scholars are also eligible for funding to present their research at scientific conferences, and many participate in conferences during their senior year.

NOAA Scholars in Silver Spring, MD, for the Science and Education Symposium.
NOAA Scholars in Silver Spring, MD, for the Science and Education Symposium. (Kristen Jabanoski)

The closing ceremony included advice and words of wisdom in an address by Dr. Russell Callender, Assistant Administrator for the National Ocean Service. The student presentations were judged by NOAA Mission Goal, with NOAA science experts serving as judges. The following undergraduate scholars received recognition (listed in alphabetical order). 

For more information and to apply for NOAA’s undergraduate scholarship programs, please visit our website. Also, be sure to follow NOAA Education on social media: Facebook, Instagram (#NOAAScholars), and Twitter.

2016 student scholarships presentation awards

Oral presentation award winners

Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

Alan Gorchov-Negron – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Climatology
University: Brown University
Internship placement: Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research (OAR)

Presentation title: Fugitive Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Production and Use

Gina Li – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Geography/Meteorology
University: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Internship placement: OAR

Presentation title: Driving Heat Home: Personalizing Predicted Heat Waves Through Historical Analogs and Novel Visualizations

Meghan Shea – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Environmental Engineering
Major: Stanford University
Internship placement: OAR

Presentation title: Ocean Acidification Observations from a West Coast Shellfish Hatchery


Resilient Coastal Communities

Jory Fleming – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Marine Science and Geography
University: University of South Carolina
Internship placement: National Ocean Service (NOS)

Presentation title: Visualizing Sea Level Rise to Examine the Nexus of Climate Change and Socio- Economic Security

Jin-Si Over – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Geology
University: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Internship placement: OAR

Presentation title: Quantifying Shoreline Change Using Aerial Orthophotogrammetry in a Regime of Rising Sea Level  


Healthy Oceans

Taylor Heckman – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Biology
University: Willamette University
Internship placement: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Presentation title: The Reason for the Lesion: Interpreting Histopathology Findings in Hawaiian Monk Seals

Austin Hunter – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Marine Biology and Chemistry
University: Eckerd College
Internship placement: NOS

Presentation title: Corals of Opportunity as a Restoration Tool for Hawaii's Coral Reefs

Char’Mane Robinson – EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholar
Major:  Environmental Science Technology Policy
University: California State University Monterey Bay
Internship placement: NOS

Presentation title: A Statistical and Spatial Analysis of Chemical Contaminants in Cocos Lagoon, Guam

Katharine Shelledy – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Biology
University: Juniata College
Internship placement: NMFS

Presentation title: Cod conversations: Temporal Patterns of Gadidae Fish Calls in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Spencer Showalter – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Marine Science and Biology
University: Boston University
Internship placement: NMFS

Presentation title: The Abundance and Toxicity of Pseudo-nitzschia Along the U.S. West Coast


Weather-Ready Nation

Jessica McDonald – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Meteorology
University: Saint Cloud State University
Internship placement: National Weather Service (NWS)

Presentation title: Insights into Predicting Tornado Development Using NEWS-e Vorticity Forecasts

Lucien Simpfendoerfer – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Meteorology
University: Penn State University
Internship placement: OAR

Presentation title: Relationships Between Water Vapor and Liquid Water in Arctic Mixed-Phase Clouds

Cody Yeary – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Meteorology
University: Saint Cloud State University
Internship placement: NWS

Presentation title: Analyzing P-Surge Exceedances to Improve Storm Surge Watches and Warnings


Science and Technology Enterprise

Anna Lynn – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Biology
University: University of South Carolina-Columbia
Internship placement: OAR

Presentation title: Development of Calibration System for Hydrocarbons Emitted from Biomass Burning

Katrina Rosemond – EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Electrical Engineering
University: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Internship placement: OMAO

Presentation title: Aeronautical Radio Inc. Computer (ARC) Software Modification of the Gulfstream IV-SP

 

Poster presentation award winners

 
Kimberly Clinch – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Integrated Science and Mathematics
University: Northwestern University
Internship placement: NWS

Presentation title: Improving Wind Gust Forecasts Across Southeast Alaska

Krista Dotterer – Hollings Undergraduate Scholar
Major: Meteorology
University: Penn State University
Internship placement: NWS
Presentation title: Accuracy of Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit Intensity Estimates in Hurricanes