Chris Kennedy is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of Wyoming. His research deals with incentive-based fishing policies, including individualized fishing quotas (IFQs) and other methods to support sustainable fisheries. During the term of his fellowship, Chris will work with a federal fisheries scientist at the National Marine Fisheries Service in Miami, and with Brian Silliman, professor of zoology at the University of Florida, investigating the economics associated with management of the southeast Atlantic blue crab fishery.

"Although I have relatively broad interest in economic problems, the two areas of specialization I have chosen are environmental and resource economics, and trade and development economics," Chris says. "These fields were chosen based on the belief that successful conservation of natural resources depends on smart development and trade policy, and also that trade, when designed correctly, can help in the conservation of resources."

Steven Saul, a doctoral student in marine biology and fisheries at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, has been selected one of five national awardees of the joint NOAA Fisheries-Sea Grant Population Dynamics Graduate Fellowship. The program provides up to three years of funding for Ph.D. students to carry out thesis research in the study of the growth, recruitment and mortality of fish populations.

Saul's research pertains to using population models and simulations to assess Gulf reef fish stocks, focusing on the impacts of individual fishing vessels on population and catch statistics. "Fishery-dependent information such as catches and indicies are fundamental inputs to stock assessments, and contribute to the estimate of stock status," Saul said. "Understanding how factors related to fisher behavior can influence catches and catch rates will make a valuable contribution toward reducing uncertainty in stock assessments."

Three students nominated by Florida Sea Grant have earned prestigious Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships for the Class of 2009.

The Knauss Fellowship program provides qualified graduate students pursuing careers in ocean and coastal resource policy with a one-year paid fellowship in Washington, D.C., in selected legislative or executive branches of the federal government.

A year spent as a Knauss Fellow augments a student’s education by providing practical training and understanding of how marine issues are handled at the federal level. Not only does a fellowship benefit the student, it contributes to the pool of young and experienced graduates with knowledge and desire to pursue careers in marine and Great Lakes research, policy, and resource management.

The Knauss Program is in its 30th year, and Florida Sea Grant has placed 40 applicants from Florida universities in that time. Placements vary from year to year. A list of locations and more information is available at our page on scholarship opportunities.

Kari MacLauchlin is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Florida, where she is working on a degree in interdisciplinary ecology. Her dissertation research focuses on the Florida spiny lobster fishery and is aimed at developing an effective program in tradable fishing rights that could be a model for the U.S. Kari has worked as a volunteer at the Florida Museum of Natural History, as a guide on tropical ecology expeditions in Costa Rica, as a consultant with the National Parks Conservation Association, and as an editorial assistant with several professional journals. Kari's fellowship will be with the executive branch.

Tauna Rankin is a Ph.D. candidate in the Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Miami. Her dissertation research focuses on the ecology and population dynamics of coral reef fish. Tauna has worked as an editorial assistant for Bulletin of Marine Science, as a naturalist at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, and as a volunteer instructor in a marine science education program for 6th and 7th grade girls. She is president of her graduate student organization. Tauna’s fellowship will be with the executive branch.

Heather Havens is a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida. Her dissertation research is focused on developing modeling tools to better predict the occurrence of harmful algal blooms, a project she is doing in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In addition, Heather has used her modeling skills to help the state predict the spread of a toxic chemical spill in Tampa Bay in 2007. She volunteers as a tutor for grade school children, mentors at an oceanography camp for 8th grade girls, and has worked as a volunteer at the annual Ocean Science Bowl, the Coastal Cities Summit, and at Florida Oceans Day. Heather’s fellowship will be with the legislative branch.

Melanie King is a recent graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law with a specialty in environmental land use law. She has conducted extensive analysis of the historical legislation in Florida related to boating safety laws, and has been actively engaged in ongoing work by state agencies to identify effective measures to reduce mortality of manatees in coastal waters.

Melanie's interests in the marine environment are life-long, and she has developed broad knowledge and skills related to environmental and international law. She has also pursued coursework and developed competencies in areas needed to make a major contribution in the field.

Jennifer DuPont will earn a doctoral degree from the University of South Florida College of Marine Science. She has developed an innovative research program that deals with impacts of Karenia brevis blooms on coastal marine ecosystems, and is actively working with resource management agencies to explore actions that might be taken to reduce those impacts.

In 2007, Dupont earned the $5000 Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas scholarship from Florida Sea Grant to support her research in the Gulf.

Through Jennifer's engagement with regional and community programs, she has developed a unique set of knowledge, skills and competencies that will substantively benefit the Knauss program.