“I am honored to receive the Mary Silver award for my thesis proposal titled, “Iron particles in the ocean: from source to biological uptake.” Iron is an essential micronutrient, especially in much of the Southern Ocean, where it controls primary productivity by phytoplankton and ultimately, carbon dioxide drawdown. This award supports my work combining large dataset analysis, advanced analytical techniques, and phytoplankton culture bioassays to improve our understanding of the role of particulate iron in marine biogeochemical cycles. My thesis work aims to contribute to a clearer picture of iron cycling in the ocean and its feedback on global climate.” Katherine Mateos – 2025 Award Recipient
“It was a great surprise and honor to receive the Bob and Jan Garrison Award during the 2024 -2025 academic year for my support of the Ocean Sciences community, and my commitment to research. My dissertation research aims to uncover the origins and drivers of savanna ecosystem development in Northwest Africa during the Miocene Epoch in order to better define the complex set of climate, consumer and plant trait interactions that allow these ecosystems to cover more than 50% of the continent today. This award will help fund my remaining year at UCSC, and allow me to complete my investigation into the fire ecology of these ancient savannas.” Anna Schartman – 2025 Award Recipient
“It was an honor to receive the Bob and Jan Garrison Award from the Ocean Science Department. The award helped to fund my work on how nature can reduce climate risk in California. Wetlands and reefs attenuate wave energy and storm surge, and my work assessed the value of flood risk reduction from marsh restoration in San Francisco Bay. Results can support conservation and climate planning in our state.” Rae Taylor-Burns – 2023 Award Recipient
“I felt very honored to receive the Bob and Jan Garrison Award as an acknowledgement of my research and service to the Ocean Sciences Department. The award helped to fund research studying harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Monterey Bay. Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin, produced by some species of a relatively common genus of marine phytoplankton called Pseudo-nitzschia. The ecological role of domoic acid and environmental drivers of toxin production are still poorly understood. My thesis work aims to contribute to our knowledge of HABs with data collected from lab experiments, field monitoring, and new applications for passive chemical sampling.” Aubrey Trapp – 2024 Award Recipient
“It was an honor and privilege to receive the recognition of the 2022 Mary Silver Award from the UCSC Ocean Sciences Department, which is awarded each year to the most meritorious thesis proposal. This award supported my molecular ecology research exploring the genetic basis of migration-related traits in salmon and steelhead trout of California. My research revealed the heritability of important life-history traits and the key genes associated with these traits. These results improve our ability to properly manage and conserve these important species of conservation concern.” Anne Beulke – 2023 Award Recipient