Luciana Banquero, a graduate student studying marine science in in the College of Sciences, has won the notable Aylesworth Scholarship from Florida Sea Grant. The scholarship will provide $3,000 a semester over two years for Banquero to pursue her studies in ocean science.
The Aylesworth Scholarship was established in 1984 through a joint partnership between the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science, the 麻豆精品 S疭outheastern Fisheries Association 麻豆精品 S痑nd the Florida Sea Grant College Program. Aylesworth scholarships are named annually, with a few students selected among undergraduate and graduate student applicants across all Florida universities that conduct research in the marine sciences. Aylesworth Scholarship recipients study many subjects that impact the fishing, seafood and marine industries.
Banquero 麻豆精品 S檚 pathway to pursue marine science began in childhood.
麻豆精品 S淪cience and biology were always my best subjects in school and my family encouraged my curiosity about plants and animals, 麻豆精品 S� Banquero says. 麻豆精品 S淟ater, I felt drawn to conduct research that would contribute to protection of the places I 麻豆精品 S檇 enjoyed as a child and had the opportunity to explore in my biology studies at UCF. 麻豆精品 S�
In Fall 2019 during her studies at UCF, she began to participate in field work, data entry, and other support for , or CEELAB.
麻豆精品 S淚 literally and figuratively got my feet wet, 麻豆精品 S� Banquero says.
CEELAB provides opportunities for UCF students studying biology in the College of Sciences to work in the field, building hands-on experience. This summer, 15 UCF students are working on coastal restoration and monitoring in the Indian River Lagoon, as well as conservation projects focused on microplastics or coastal acidification.
Pegasus Professor Linda Walters runs the CEELAB, working alongside the students and supporting independent research projects, matching their interests with the needs of the local ecosystem.
麻豆精品 S淚t becomes real at 6:30 a.m. when students are moving biodegradable restoration materials to damaged, intertidal oyster reefs while standing in mud in the middle of a hot, Florida summer,” Walters says. “This is how coastal restoration happens and where students put their passion for marine biology to work. 麻豆精品 S�
Banquero 麻豆精品 S檚 experience through CEELAB was profound, providing her with opportunities to see nature and wildlife 麻豆精品 S� including sea turtles and manatees 麻豆精品 S� firsthand, as well as observe the human impacts on coastal environments.
Her work in CEELAB stood out to Walters, who continues to see promise in Banquero 麻豆精品 S檚 thesis work toward her master’s in biology at UCF.
麻豆精品 S淪he is a determined person and has wonderful insight and tenacity that will serve her well as a scientist, 麻豆精品 S� Walters says. 麻豆精品 S淟uciana is a very worthy recipient of the Aylesworth Scholarship and has a bright future in marine science. 麻豆精品 S�
麻豆精品 S淭he experience I have had as a student at the College of Sciences has been lifechanging,” Banquero says . 麻豆精品 S淚 麻豆精品 S檓 doing things that have surprised me and found a path forward. I 麻豆精品 S檓 grateful to the biology department for helping to open doors for me in the field of conservation. 麻豆精品 S�
As a first-generation college student, Banquero hopes to inspire more students to pursue careers in marine science and for the public to become more engaged in ecosystem restoration efforts.
麻豆精品 S淚 hope more people pay greater attention to the value of coastal marine resources and see the value in conserving, restoring and protecting them, 麻豆精品 S� Banquero says.
