NOAA Office of Education has selected three recipients for the new José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) Graduate Fellowship Program pilot.
EPP/MSI Graduate Fellowship Program class of 2021. From left to right: Harold Gamarro, Shanelle Haughton, and Nina Mauney. (Image credit: Office of Education)
The EPP/MSI Graduate Fellowship Program is designed to serve as a future workforce pipeline to NOAA for qualified students currently supported at EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Centers and pursuing graduate degrees in NOAA mission fields.
The selected EPP/MSI fellows will spend a year conducting collaborative research at a NOAA facility and will participate in professional development training. “I am excited about these fellowships,” said Louisa Koch, Director of Education. “NOAA has been partnering with the Cooperative Science Centers for more than 20 years, and now we are adding an important new way to connect with these talented students.”
2021 Graduate Fellowship Program awardees
The selected fellows are
- Harold Gamarro of the NOAA Center for Earth System Science and Remote Sensing Technology;
- Shanelle Haughton of the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center, and;
- Christina (Nina) Mauney of the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems.
They will conduct their fellowship research in the NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and Southwest Fisheries Science Center, respectively. Read more about the selected fellows below.
Harold Gamarro
As an EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow, my main goal is to build relationships with various NOAA scientists and expand my professional network with people who can help guide me as I begin my professional career.
Harold Gamarro is an engineering Ph.D. student at the NOAA Center for Earth System Science and Remote Sensing Technology at City College of New York. Harold will conduct his fellowship research at the Office Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory under the co-mentorship of Brian McDonald, Ph.D.
What do you expect to accomplish during your tenure as an EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow?
"As an EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow, my main goal is to build relationships with various NOAA scientists and expand my professional network with people who can help guide me as I begin my professional career. I am also motivated by the opportunity to continue my research in urban air quality with some of the leading experts in the field."
Shanelle Haughton
As a NOAA EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow, I plan to continue building my professional network at NOAA, as well as explore possibilities for future collaborations with NOAA scientists ... For me, the EPP/MSI Graduate Fellowship is my stepping stone to becoming a part of the NOAA workforce.
Shanelle Haughton is a Physical Sciences Ph.D. student at the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. Shanelle will conduct her fellowship research at the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center under the mentorship of Ingrid Spies, Ph.D.
What do you expect to accomplish during your tenure as an EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow?
"As a NOAA EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow, I plan to take full advantage of the unique opportunities that this fellowship provides. During my fellowship I plan to continue building my professional network at NOAA, as well as explore possibilities for future collaborations with NOAA scientists. I plan to attend NOAA meetings and seminars exclusive to NOAA scientists, in effort to take advantage of networking opportunities and develop a better understanding of the work culture at NOAA. During my tenure, I will also receive extensive professional development on new research skills that will allow me to complete the bulk of my dissertation research ... For me, the EPP/MSI Graduate Fellowship is my stepping stone to becoming a part of the NOAA workforce."
Nina Mauney
I am excited for the opportunity to enhance my graduate education through extended professional development training. One of my main goals is to learn from and grow relationships with NOAA scientists.
Nina Mauney is a Marine Science master’s student at the NOAA Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems at California State University, Monterey Bay. Nina will conduct her fellowship research at the NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center under the mentorship of Elliot Hazen, Ph.D.
What do you expect to accomplish during your tenure as an EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow?
"As an EPP/MSI Graduate Fellow, I am excited for the opportunity to enhance my graduate education through extended professional development training. One of my main goals is to learn from and grow relationships with NOAA scientists. Through experiential training at my host NOAA office, I will be able to expand my quantitative skills, further my knowledge of the scientific method, and deepen my understanding of how to ensure that science informs ecosystem-based management and supports NOAA’s mission."
