UVI Team Selected to Participate in Prestigious Conference

UVI student/mentor team selected for participation in prestigious scientific conference which promotes opportunities for underrepresented minorities (URM).

In these challenging times we are especially pleased to announce University of the Virgin Islands MMES candidate Amelie Jensen and her mentor Dr. Kristin Wilson Grimes, Research Assistant Professor of Watershed Ecology at UVI, are one of just eleven student/mentor teams selected for the 2017 Rising TIDES Conference Mentoring Program award.

Dr. Grimes teaches a student group about sediment cores.

Dr. Grimes teaches a student group about sediment cores.

Rising TIDES, (Toward an Inclusive, Diverse, and Enriched Society,) jointly supports underrepresented minority students and mentors participation in the CERF (Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation) 2017 24th Biennial Conference taking place in Rhode Island this November. Read the full press release here, which states in part “The 11 students were selected for their commitment to broadening participation in coastal and estuarine science and management, as well as for their strong academic promise and relevant professional and extracurricular engagement.” 


We were extremely impressed with both the number and the high quality of the applications we received. We are excited to engage these exceptional students and their mentors in broadening participation in coastal and estuarine science, and we look forward to growing CERF’s URM mentoring program in future years.
— Dr. Hilary Neckles, USGS Research Ecologist, CERF President- Elect, and chair of the Rising TIDES selection committee.

Amelie Jensen is investigating blue carbon storage in seagrass habitats around the USVI. She chose to pursue her Masters at UVI specifically to study under Dr. Grimes who’s passion for coastal ecosystems is infectious. Dr. Grimes is equally passionate in her support for underrepresented minorities in science, actively seeking opportunities to enrich minority students’ experiences.

Amelie, center, is seen here with fellow researchers Allie Durdall and Sydney Nick.

Amelie, center, is seen here with fellow researchers Allie Durdall and Sydney Nick.

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