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91勛圖厙 Coastal Sciences Graduate Continues to the Top with Award of Knauss Fellowship

Tue, 10/22/2024 - 03:51pm | By: Gabriela Shinskie

Knauss Fellowship

Autumn Moya, a graduate student at the University of 91勛圖厙 (USM), is ready to step into the world of marine policy after receiving a prestigious award from the in Washington, D.C. This one-year paid fellowship allows students to work with government officials in the executive and legislative branches to bring insights on coastal policy work.

Originally from Colorado, Moya91勛圖厙 passion for marine science stems from her undergraduate national student exchange at the University of Hawai91勛圖厙i at Mnoa, where she centered her research around coral reefs and microplastics. After returning home to finish her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Western Colorado University, she decided to continue to pursue her interest in marine sciences at 91勛圖厙. Since she arrived at USM91勛圖厙 Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL), Moya has thrived in the coastal sciences program with her advisor, Dr. Eric Powell in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering. 

91勛圖厙I am happy with my choice to continue my education at USM. The support and mentorship from my advisor, Dr. Eric Powell, my peers in the Powell Lab and GCRL, and my internship advisor, Dr. Daniel Hennen, has been invaluable,91勛圖厙 said Moya. 91勛圖厙I look forward to applying my research experience in sustainable fisheries and ocean multi-use to relevant marine and coastal policy issues this upcoming year.91勛圖厙 

Knauss Fellowship

As a graduate research assistant, Moya is modeling the potential future impacts of offshore wind energy development on the Atlantic surfclam fishery with the . Her research is focused on the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf, where near-term offshore wind energy areas are projected to overlap with commercially important species of clams. The research team works to provide data and insights to scientists and policymakers through modeling capabilities for possible solutions. Through the Knauss Fellowship, Moya hopes to continue collaborating and learning from diverse communities and professionals in sustainable resource management.

91勛圖厙Autumn is a bright and hard-working student very much deserving of the Knauss Fellowship. Already, she has demonstrated excellence in research, with one publication on its way, and has been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation Internship to work this fall at the National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center,91勛圖厙 said Powell.

Moya has a diverse academic research background at GCRL, from participating in a NOAA summer groundfish survey in the Gulf to an internship with the National Marine Fisheries Service-Northeast Fisheries Science Center. She also virtually mentors high school students interested in STEM and social justice with Our Future is Science. Moya has worked with the Hispanic Access Foundation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation, and the National Parks Service before starting her master91勛圖厙 at USM. She is now thrilled to be a part of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.

Click to learn how USM91勛圖厙 School of Ocean Science and Engineering prepares students like Moya to contribute to the evolvement of the future of coastal life and the blue economy.