2008 Florida Sea Grant Fellows
NOAA Fisheries Service - Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program in Population Dynamics
|
Steven Saul
B.S. Environmental Studies
B.A. Music
University of Richmond
2004
M.A. Marine Affairs and Policy
University of Miami
2006
|
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."
In addition to his academic work, Saul will be funded to present his research findings to industry groups, fisheries management councils, and professional fisheries assocations.
"My career goals are to continue conducting applied research on marine populations in support of natural resource management," Saul said. "My master's degree and pending PhD make me capable of looking at these issues through the lens of both biologist and manager." |
| |
|
Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
|
|
Melanie King
B.A. International Studies
UNC - Chapel Hill
2004
J.D. University of Florida
2008
|
Florida Sea Grant Director Karl Havens has announced two 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.
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 an amazing breadth of knowledge and skills related to environmental and international law," Havens said. "She has also pursued coursework and developed competencies in areas needed to make a major contribution in that field." |
Jennifer DuPont
B.S. Biology
University of Richmond
2003
Ph.D. Marine Science
University of South Florida
Fall, 2008
|
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.
"Jennifer has a keen interest in marine issues, she is a proven leader among her peers, and an outstanding young scientist," Havens said. "Through her engagement with regional and community programs, she has developed a unique set of knowledge, skills and competencies that will substantively benefit the Knauss program."
The Knauss Program is in its 29th 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 here.
|
|
|
|
