Two Chicago-Area Locals Win Guy Harvey Foundation Scholarships for Marine Science Research
With a focused mission to better understand and conserve the ocean environment, the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF) collaborates with local, national and international organizations to conduct scientific research and provides funding to affiliated researchers who share this objective. As part of that mission, the non-profit organization annually recognizes undergraduate and graduate students at Florida colleges and universities whose research focuses on the biology, ecology, habitat or management of sustainable marine fisheries in Florida's marine environment with a $5,000 Guy Harvey Scholarship Award.
Chicago-area locals Shannon Barry and Natalia Jaworski are two of the eight individuals who have received this scholarship and will also receive a certificate designed and signed by world-renowned marine wildlife artist, conservationist and GHF Founder/Chair Emeritus, Dr. Guy Harvey.
"It is vitally important that we fund research and also support the efforts of the next generation of marine researchers, scientists and conservationists," said Dr. Harvey. "With these scholarships, we can continue to inspire and attract more bright young minds as they pursue research opportunities that will ensure a properly balanced ocean ecosystem for years to come."
Originally from Woodridge, Illinois, biological sciences Ph.D. candidate Shannon Barry is conducting research focused on the genetic diversity of bull sharks that are migrating poleward in response to climate change. The Florida Institute of Technology student and fellow research collaborators expect to collect and extract DNA samples from more than 1,000 bull sharks throughout the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and northwestern Atlantic Ocean.
Natalia Jaworski is a graduate student from Chicago who is studying environmental science at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Her work focuses on quantifying the impacts of prey density on predator consumption. In collaboration with Dr. Matthew Ajemian and Mote Marine Lab, Jaworski will study the individual functional responses of white-spotted eagle rays and other shell-crushing predators that are predating on hard clams.
The Guy Harvey Scholarship Award was established in 2010 through a partnership between Florida Sea Grant and the Guy Harvey Foundation. Since then, 74 students from 11 different Florida colleges and universities have received more than $359,000 in scholarships.
Applications for the 2023 Guy Harvey Scholarship Award will open later this summer. Stay up to date on application requirements and deadlines at www.flseagrant.org/student-opportunities, or contact Florida Sea Grant Student Programs Coordinator Cassandra Sexon at students@flseagrant.org.
About Guy Harvey
Guy Harvey is a unique blend of artist, scientist, diver, angler, conservationist and explorer, fiercely devoted to his family and his love of the sea. His childhood passion for the ocean and its living creatures not only inspired him to draw, but fueled a burning interest that prompted a formal education in marine science. Having graduated with honors in Marine Biology from Aberdeen University in Scotland in 1977, Guy returned home to Jamaica to resume his education, earning his Ph.D. from the University of the West Indies in 1984. Though he gave up a budding career as a marine biologist for that of a highly acclaimed artist, Guy has continued his relentless pursuit to unravel the mysteries of the sea, traveling the world to better understand the habits and habitats of the marine wildlife he paints. For more information, please visit www.guyharvey.com. Follow Guy on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DrGuyHarvey, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DrGuyHarvey, connect on Instagram at www.instagram.com/drguyharvey, and tune in to see Guy's latest expeditions on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/DrGuyHarvey.
About the Guy Harvey Foundation
With a focused mission to better understand and conserve the ocean environment, the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF) collaborates with local, national and international organizations to conduct scientific research and provides funding to affiliated researchers who share this objective. The GHF also develops and hosts cutting-edge educational programs that help educators to foster the next era of marine conservationists, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. www.GuyHarveyFoundation.org
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