Hollings Scholar
UD's Nicole Coffey awarded Earnest F. Hollings Scholarship by NOAA
10:42 a.m., May 9, 2016--University of Delaware sophomore Nicole Coffey has been awarded the prestigious Earnest F. Hollings Scholarship by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Hollings scholarship is awarded annually to undergraduate candidates majoring in a variety of oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, or other related fields.
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Coffey, an Honors marine science and chemistry double major, was among 127 undergraduate students selected nationwide for 2016.
As a Hollings Scholar, she will receive two years of academic assistance, as well as hands-on, educational training experience in “NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management and education activities” through a paid summer internship.
“Marine science inherently connects many disciplines and allows for reaching ‘beyond a degree.’ Whether I become a researcher, a policy maker, an educator or even an animal trainer, I firmly believe that I will make a difference, even if it’s a small one,” said Coffey, who is also an Honors Program student.
While Coffey’s research interests center on understanding coastal ecosystems, it was an internship with the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center’s mammal department that opened her eyes to opportunities in conservation and ecosystem management.
During the internship, Coffey met Nila, a two-year-old female sea lion that was rescued off the coast of Southern California in 2014 at approximately six-months of age. A combination of warmer ocean temperatures and overfishing in the region has led to adult sea lions traveling greater distances to find food, causing growing pups to become stranded.
According to Coffey, although the rescue organization nursed Nila back to a healthy weight, her lack of survival skills and timid demeanor around other sea lions prevented her from being released back into the wild. This led to her placement with the Long Island Aquarium.
“As happy as I am that Nila has found a forever home, I cannot help but be horrified by the stranding and the imbalance that caused it to happen,” Coffey said.
“Unhealthy ecosystems cannot support themselves or the stress of a growing human population. Efforts must be made to restore healthy ecosystems and to responsibly manage the ocean’s resources.”
Over the next two years, Coffey plans to explore her interest in conservation and coastal ocean systems, while letting her scientific curiosity guide her ultimate career path.
“The Hollings scholarship will give me an amazing chance to discover more about this beautiful planet, and potentially have a hand in something that will make a difference,” she said.
Article by Karen B. Roberts