DURHAM, N.C. -- After a rigorous selection process, the Duke University Rachel Carson Scholars Program has chosen 18 undergraduate students for its new cohort. Established in 2017 in honor of the late marine biologist and environmentalist Rachel Carson, the program helps prepare students for leadership in marine science and conservation.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these students to the Rachel Carson Scholars Program, which now totals 43 scholars,” said program director Meagan Dunphy-Daly, who is also the associate dean for experiential education and undergraduate research at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

“Our new cohort includes students who have published peer-reviewed papers as first authors; engaged the public through internship experiences in conservation fields; and started grassroots marine science organizations,” she added.

Rachel Carson Scholars carry out independent research with marine science and conservation faculty mentors at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort and on Duke’s main campus in Durham.

“The new cohort has a range of interests, from studying molecular stress responses of sea urchins to coastal community resilience planning,” Dunphy-Daly noted. 

Scholars receive up to $2,500 in research funding, up to $1,500 to attend a professional scientific conference, and up to $1,500 to participate in a Marine Lab signature travel course.

During their senior fall semester, scholars write an honors thesis on their research for Graduation with Distinction. Some students also may submit their work for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The new scholars are:

• Katie Brandler - sophomore marine science and conservation major
• Nina Castro Alves - sophomore undeclared major
• Renée Dunford - first-year undeclared major
• Annabelle Dyer - sophomore environmental sciences and policy major
• Jacob Frietze - junior biology, evolutionary anthropology double major
• Priya Goel - sophomore undeclared major
• Victoria Justiniano - first-year undeclared major
• Ava Kocher - sophomore biology major, with a concentration in marine biology
• Ellery Lei - sophomore undeclared major
• David Mann - sophomore economics, marine science and conservation double major
• Max Niu - first-year undeclared major
• Tessa Nyhan -  junior biology major
• Anna Ochs - sophomore biology, marine science and conservation double major
• Siri Oehler - first-year undeclared major
• Tate Oliva - sophomore undeclared major
• Abigail Perry - sophomore undeclared major
• Georgia Rabin - sophomore public policy major
• Mikaela Voinov - sophomore undeclared major