Grad students’ marine research supported through Denise B. Evans Fellowship
Two SOEST graduate students, Victoria Assad and Syrena Whitner, were selected as this year’s Denise B. Evans Fellows. These awards support outstanding SOEST graduate students who are chosen based on publications, presentations, research endeavors, and potential impact in their future careers. A very generous gift in 2013 from the estate of Denise B. Evans established the Denise B. Evans Fellowship in Oceanographic Research at the Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology in SOEST. Each award is made in the amount of approximately $30,000 per year.
“As usual, the selection committee had a tough task ahead of them,” said Rob Wright, HIGP director. “We have excellent graduate students in SOEST and the quality of the proposals they submit is always high. But selecting the best of the best is a nice problem to have. Syrena and Victoria are doing fantastic work, and I am happy that the support provided by this fellowship will help them to continue.”
Victoria Assad
Assad, an oceanography doctoral student with mentor Jeff Drazen, focuses her research on small fish, squid, crustaceans in the eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone, specifically in an area that has been allocated for deep-sea mining. The aim of this research is to understand what organisms live in these communities, how they affect carbon sinking to the deep sea, and their life histories in order to understand both their resiliency and the impact that deep-sea mining may have on these communities and their environment.
“It’s amazing to be a part of a field where on my first research cruise we found a new species of anglerfish,” said Assad. “I also really appreciate that my work is centered at the intersection of science and exploration along with real-world policy impacts. I want my work to mean something and this project really allows me to do that.”
“Being recognized by SOEST for my work is affirming as a scientist and oceanographer,” added Assad. “This fellowship will also allow me to focus-in on my research as I am coming closer to the end of my PhD and free up my time so I can get my work published and out to the public!”
Syrena Whitner
Whitner, a doctoral student in the Marine Biology Graduate Program with mentor Anthony Amend, is focused on understanding the ecological roles of marine fungi in oceanic carbon cycling. Her research also seeks to investigate the co-evolution of fungi and their associated viral symbionts, specifically how these viruses influence fungal host physiology and their capacity to engage in carbon processing.
“The most exciting aspect of my work is that the scientific community knows next to nothing about fungal parasitism in the open ocean, and even less about the contributions of marine fungi to global biogeochemical cycles, so everything feels very novel and captivating,” said Whitner. “I also admire the complexity of the interactions fungi share with other microorganisms, which has brought forth some amazing collaborations with a diverse group of researchers from around the world.”
“I am so grateful to have been selected as one of the recipients for this year, as this fellowship not only enables me to focus entirely on my research for my final year, but also supports the notion that marine fungi merit legitimate consideration in regard to global oceanic processes,” Whitner added.