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Erin Caroline Donalson Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Erin Caroline Donalson was a native of Silsbee, Texas and proud Islander at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Outside of her studies, she enjoyed saltwater fishing and paddle boarding on the Texas coast. Following her passing in May 2018, Erin’s parents, Drew and Alyson Donalson, created the Erin Caroline Donalson Memorial Endowed Scholarship in celebration of their daughter’s passion for her school and the outdoors. The scholarship assists graduate students whose studies and/or research align with the mission of the Harte Research Institute’s Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation.
ALYSSA OUTHWAITE, M.S.
Ph.D. Marine Biology
HOMETOWN: Darien, Georgia RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration DISSERTATION: Evaluating the Ecological Role of Estuarine Habitats: An Integrated Community and Trophic Analysis Approach GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2023
If I could go back in time and talk to my 10-year-old self, I think she would be so excited and proud to learn she’d one day become a marine biologist. She’d be fascinated to learn that we would get to play in the bay with fish and crabs and all sorts of marine critters as a part of our job. I think she’d be in awe to see our passion for nature and life leading us to become real scientists, with lab coats and everything! One of the most fulfilling experiences is knowing my enthusiasm to teach is just as strong as it was when I was kid, showing my sisters how to make the ultimate jammy toast (it’s all about the right ratio of butter to jam). Words truly can’t express how grateful I am for this scholarship because it has helped 10-year-old me be all the things I wanted, a scientist, a teacher, an explorer, and so much more. I like to think Erin was a similar child, with eyes wide open and ready to make the most out of life. I hope to pass down this enthusiasm through my research and by teaching the next generation how to be scientists while still embracing their 10-year-old selves.
KIT WHEAT-WALSH
M.S. Marine Biology
HOMETOWN: Lansing, Michigan RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: A Comparison of Oyster Tongs and Oyster Dredges to Help Monitor Oyster Reefs in the Mission-Aransas Estuary GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2023
I am extremely grateful for the Erin Caroline Donalson Memorial Endowed Scholarship because it has allowed me to continue to follow my dreams and not worry as much about the financial cost of going back to school. I am currently a member of the Coastal Conservation & Restoration Lab at the Harte Research Institute as well as a full-time employee with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, working as a fisheries technician. I have worked with TPWD for the past two years and am extremely grateful that I am able to continue my education at the same time. I began my master’s program with HRI in the summer of 2021 and I have been able to take several courses that have helped me to further my education as a marine scientist. My thesis project focuses on a different method of sampling oyster reefs that can help TPWD with the management of commercial oyster fishing.
LEXIE NEFFINGER, M.S.
M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science
HOMETOWN: West Springfield, Massachusetts RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: Developing a Bioassessment Framework to Inform Tidal Stream Management Along a Hydrologically Variable Coast GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2022
Looking back on my graduate experience, one thing I cannot understate is the generous support I was given at HRI. The relationships I made with other scientists, my graduate assistantship position, the opportunities for leadership, and the scholarships and grants I was lucky enough to receive all played a role in how I felt supported. On top of the wealth of experiences already gained through my program, the scholarship gave me workable skills (SCUBA certification), resources (lab supplies), and knowledge (access to books relevant to my thesis). This additional support enriched the already robust education and research experience I received at HRI and made me a better scientist. I am so grateful that the support I received in graduate school has allowed me to continue my career journey working towards coastal resilience.
LILY WALKER, M.S.
M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science
HOMETOWN: Fruitdale, South Dakota RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Ecosystem Processes THESIS: Timescales and Magnitude of Water Quality Changes in Three Texas Estuaries Induced by the Passage of Hurricane Harvey GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2022
I grew up in South Dakota where I helped my parents farm many different crops. My parents are also scientists. Starting with teachings from them on topics such as sustainability in agricultural methods, I became increasingly interested in habitat quality affects and their driving mechanisms in many different ecosystems - my favorite of which eventually becoming the coastal zone of the Gulf of Mexico. After realizing this, I needed to know how to truly become valuable to a science I care so much about. The integration of scientists and stakeholders is of utmost importance for work like mine to matter, and that union is what I found to be strong at the Harte Research Institute and built stronger through my Shimano-CCA scholarship. Presently, I am employed in the environmental resource management sector working daily on furthering our understanding of past, present, and future coastal fisheries conditions and their associated habitats on the Texas coast. This would not have been possible without the support I received that aided in my graduation in May, or any of the countless, invaluable relationships that were forged.
Shimano-CCA National Marine Science Scholarship
Shimano and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) have partnered to fund scholarships for graduate students dedicated to advancing their education in marine fisheries conservation. Students must demonstrate a passion for recreational fishing and are expected to contribute, through their research, to the understanding of Gulf of Mexico marine fisheries — in alignment with the missions of Shimano, CCA, and the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at the Harte Research Institute.
Gail and Michael Sutton established the William and Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Marine Science to honor the lives and accomplishments of Gail's parents. William was a genetic biologist and Lyell an English and political science scholar. Their work took them all over the world until they settled in Corpus Christi, but they were always passionate about their home aquaria. Together, the two Wyoming natives put their intellect to work to create incredible aquariums and were pioneers with exotic species. Their work with aquatic species inspired their children, and this scholarship is designed to assist marine science students primarily from larger families in their honor.
NEINA CHAPA
M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science
HOMETOWN: Tampa, Florida RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: Restoration of Coupled Intertidal and Subtidal Oyster Reefs to Rebuild Habitat and Fisheries in St. Charles Bay, Texas GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2023
I grew up in a very metropolitan area of Florida, where land development has a big impact on the local marine environment. This inspired me to study coastal conservation and restoration because I want to engender stewardship and rebuild degraded estuarine habitats for the enjoyment of future generations. I am extremely grateful to be the recipient of the William & Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed Scholarship because it has helped me afford the supplies needed to conduct my research investigating the ecological benefits provided by restored intertidal and subtidal oyster reefs. Here at TAMU-CC I am fulfilling childhood aspirations by learning best restoration practices and participating in many community outreach events. I am also grateful to HRI, which encourages us to become better researchers by facilitating collaborations with scientists, stakeholders, and the public to advocate for the conservation and restoration of the unique marine ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico.
JENNIFER GILMORE
M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science
HOMETOWN: Watchung, New Jersey RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: Ecological Recovery and Restoration of Serpulid Reefs Following Disturbance in Baffin Bay, Texas GRADUATION DATE: Spring 2023
I am so grateful to be the recipient of William & Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Marine Science. When I first moved to Texas to join the Harte Research Institute, I could not have foreseen how significantly the next few years would enrich my academic career. With the opportunity to learn from and work with experts in the realm of benthic ecology, I analyze benthic macrofaunal samples from Serpulid reefs in Baffin Bay. Developing a statistical skillset was a driving factor in my decision to pursue a graduate education. At TAMU-CC, I knew I would benefit from the statistical courses offered. Moreover, I was able to participate in an intensive training course by Dr. Paul Somerfield via e-PRIMER, which provided crucial tools for data analysis. I presented at the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation conference, as well as the Texas Bays and Estuaries meeting, where I was awarded first place for oral presentations. These experiences, supported by this scholarship, have made my first year as a graduate student an extremely rewarding experience.
MONISHA SUGLA
M.S. Coastal and Marine System Science
HOMETOWN: Holmdel, New Jersey RESEARCH GROUP: Coastal Conservation & Restoration THESIS: Evaluating the Effects of Vertical Relief on Ecosystem Service Provision by Restored Oyster Reefs GRADUATION DATE: Fall 2022
I am grateful that the William & Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Marine Science has given me the opportunity to continue my passion in marine science conservation and restoration. It has even allowed me to expand my passion beyond just my own thesis research. I was able to attain my AAUS Scientific Diver Certification, completing different courses such as Rescue Diver and Underwater Navigation that I would not have been able to do otherwise. Oyster reef restoration and outreach has been extremely fulfilling during my time here at the Harte Research Institute. I love being able to connect with our community and directly see the impacts of our work. I hope to see my research aid in oyster reef restoration planning and management in the Gulf of Mexico in the future.
Scholarship in Marine ScienceWilliam & Lyell Snyder Memorial Endowed
