DURHAM, N.C. -- Eight Duke University students have been selected as Duke Scholars in Marine Medicine, an interdisciplinary program for undergraduates interested in the intersection of oceans and human health. Established in 2018, the program now has a total of 22 scholars.

“I’m super excited about this year’s cohort,” said program director Jason Somarelli, who holds dual appointments with the Duke Department of Medicine and the Nicholas School of the Environment. “The students bring a wide range of previous experiences and palpable enthusiasm! I can’t wait to see all that they achieve.”

With guidance from faculty mentors, the Scholars in Marine Medicine will conduct cross-cutting research at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort and on Duke’s main campus in Durham. Students may choose to explore opportunities for drug development from marine compounds; ways to bioengineer organisms that degrade marine plastic; or health-related adaptations shared among diverse species, to name a few topics.

Scholars receive up to $2,500 in research funding, up to $1,500 to participate in 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:

• Ella Andonov - sophomore undeclared major
• Faith Caesar - junior biology major with a concentration in marine biology
• Rose Cassidy - sophomore biology major with a concentration in marine biology
• John Grissinger - first-year undeclared major
• Kathryn Homa - sophomore biology and spanish double major
• Giuliana Mesarick - junior biology major
• Will Sun - sophomore biology major
• Gayathri Vanka - first-year undeclared major