Jessica Yesensky '26 ready for hands-on NOAA experience

The prestigious Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarded to 120-plus undergraduate students from more than 350 college and universities each year.

Jessica Yesensky ’26, a Biochemistry and Environmental Science major, was one of the award recipients.

The scholarship provides students with academic assistance awards up to $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer, including a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home.

Yesensky will complete her internship in the summer of 2025. Although she’s still awaiting details, the NOAA’s website describes it as a hands-on, practical experience in in “NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities.” The scholarship also provides funds for the scholars to attend a NOAA Scholarship Program orientation and annual Science & Education Symposium, where students present their research.

Among the scholarship program goals is a desire to increase training in oceanic and atmospheric science and foster multidisciplinary training.

“I'm excited about the opportunities this internship will create for me,” Yesensky said. “I’m looking forward to meeting my fellow interns and working with our mentors. I'm grateful to have been selected and to everyone who supported me during the application process.”

Yesensky, now in her second year at EC, was invited to present her first-year research in San Salvador, The Bahamas, at the 2023 Gerace Research Centre Conference, alongside her professors, graduate students from other universities, and industry professionals. She was the youngest presenter at the conference. Her work focused on the erosion vulnerability of San Salvador, which is based on the work Dr. Trevor Browning, EC Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, is conducting to index the erosion vulnerability of tropical islands.

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