Esther Adelson, Ainsley Cain, Maddie Rich and Kelley Strike have been named 2023 NOAA Hollings Scholars, joining a legacy of over 70 University of South Carolina students selected for this prestigious award.
Why it matters: The NOAA Hollings Scholarship empowers emerging scientists and environmental stewards by providing $19,000 for academic expenses and a 10-week full-time paid internship with a NOAA facility.
Who they are:
- Esther Adelson, a chemistry and mathematics double major, is a member of the South Carolina Honors College from Charleston, South Carolina. Adelson currently conducts research in professor Natalia Shustova's lab and plans to pursue a Ph.D.
- Ainsley Cain is a marine science major from Indiana who works as a research assistant in professor Jay Pinckney's lab. She is a member of the Green Quad learning community, serves as the education outreach coordinator for Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences and the community service coordinator for the Scuba Club. Her career goal is to work in coral conservation and coral ecology.
- Maddie Rich, a marine science major from Virginia, studies coastal management and marine affairs. She conducts research with professor Erin Meyer-Gutbrod and aims to work for NOAA after graduation.
- Kelley Strike is a marine science major and a Green Quad member. This summer, Strike will begin working in professor Annie Bourbonnais' lab, conducting research on nitrogen cycling. She aspires to earn an M.S. and study eutrophication, the process by which bodies of water accumulate nutrients.
With the support of the NOAA Hollings Scholarship, these talented students are well
on their way to making significant contributions to their respective fields and making
a lasting impact on the scientific community.
Students interested in learning more about NOAA Hollings or other external funding opportunities should contact National Fellowships & Scholar Programs.