Texas A&M Oceanography Student Awarded Prestigious Scholarship
Feb 9, 2017
The United States branch of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) has awarded Texas A&M University PhD student, Natalie Zielinski, as one of the recipients of the 2017 Society for Underwater Technology Scholarship award.
A scholarship cocktail reception was held at the Milford House in Houston’s Museum District to celebrate the recipients of the scholarships. With nearly 50 members of SUT in attendance, the event was standing room only.
The night began with an introduction by Dr. Zenon Medina-Cetina, President of SUT’s US Branch and Associate professor in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M. Followed by a keynote presentation by Craig Shipp Ph.D., P.G., Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc. and shortly after, the presentation of the scholarship recipients was made.
“It was definitely an honor to be acknowledged for the work that I’m doing at A&M,” Zielinski said, “I think I heard that I was the only A&M recipient, that is an honor, because I am invested in this school. I want to continue representing the Aggie name in the best way that I can.”
Zielinski received her bachelors degree in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware and completed her masters degree in Oceanography at Texas A&M in 2016.
While she has started working towards her PhD in Oceanography, Zielinski has also volunteered as a member of the Executive Board for the Texas A&M Student Chapter of SUT for the last three years.
“I’m not the type of person who likes to sit calmly on the sideline watching,” Zielinski said about her involvement with SUT-TAMU, “I want to be involved in the action working with people to solve problems and hopefully be a long lasting and positive influence.”
She has future goals of making a lasting impact on the earth’s environment, especially “humanities role on the environment as we begin to explore deeper into the ocean, as well as the potential impacts of natural forces on our offshore projects and structures.”
“Communication and talking to people is what I really enjoy doing so if I can somehow interact oceanographic work and environmental work in all of that, that would be perfect.”
She seems to be on the right path to meeting her goals for the future, especially by being a dedicated and active member of SUT.
“SUT is perfectly challenging in the way that I can interact with people that have completely different backgrounds than I do, giving me the opportunity to bring fresh ideas to the society. I have made many connections and have found that my active membership in the society continues to benefit me as I move forward.”
SUT is a global non-profit, multi-disciplinary learned society that brings together organizations and individuals with common interests in underwater technology, ocean science, and offshore engineering.
Zielinski is a defining example of the passion that runs deep within SUT and it’s members, who come from many different backgrounds of the underwater science and engineering community.
“It’s that confidence that being in a society with people who have all these life experiences give you both professionally and personally. You can learn anything on any level just from talking to people.” Zielinski said about SUT and it’s members, “The fact that it’s bringing ideas and opportunities into one sole location, all based on this huge field that extends in every direction is great.”
The scholarships are the culmination of years of hard work from SUT’s dedicated volunteers and members. Through learning courses, membership, events, and sponsorships, these scholarships are made available each year to deserving students.
The award is offered each year to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a course of study in marine science, underwater technology, offshore engineering or in related areas to the marine field.
By: Anna Heller
