51做厙 second-year student Mckenzie Newbern has been selected as a 2026. Newbern will attend a training with NOAA this May and participate in a research internship with NOAA in summer 2027.
A scholarship program specifically for second-year students, Hollings Scholarship provides not only a summer research experience, but also academic scholarships, mentorship, conference funding, and professional development opportunities. Past USF Hollings Scholars have interned at NOAA offices across the country, including the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, and the National Center for Environmental Information. Newbern will select her internship site during the coming academic year.
Hollings Scholars are selected for academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to oceanic and atmospheric science. Their goals and experience must align with to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts; share that knowledge and information with others; and conserve and manage our coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.
Building Blocks of Conservation
Newberns participation in undergraduate research projects at USFs Judy Genshaft Honors College opened doors for her to gain hands-on conservation experience in the marine environments across the Tampa Bay region.
As a first-year student, Newbern dove into research focused on the impact of sunscreen on coral reefs and became deeply engaged in the Honors community. She taught a first-year course in the Honors College, mentors other student teachers as an Honors Peer Mentor Lead, serves as an intern in the Habitat Lab on the Oyster Restoration Brick (ORB) Project, and led a team painting a mural in the USF Access 3D Lab. Her investment in her peers, dedication to marine research, and passion for hands-on impact helped her grow into the Hollings Scholar she would soon become.
Newly installed Oyster Restoration Brick in Poynter Park in St. Petersburg
As part of the ORB project a research initiative to create habitat and propagation structures for oyster restoration Newbern learned to use a 3D clay printer and the associated software quickly to test different designs.
Entering this role, I anticipated a learning curve, but it has exceeded my expectations in the best way, said Newbern. Ive been challenged to quickly develop new technical and field-based skills while gaining a deeper understanding of marine restoration and habitat design.
This spring, . Newbern was honored to be a valued part of a yearslong project.
We installed sections of a modular Oyster Restoration Brick wall along the seawall of Poynter Park in St. Petersburg, contributing to a project that has been in development for years. Being involved in both the preparation and the physical installation made the impact of the work tangible, said Newbern.
Combining Education, Art, and the Environment
While engaging in hands-on work designing and printing structures for the ORB project, Newbern also ensured that community members could stay informed about the projects progress and impact. She developed social media content for the Habitat Lab to share updates with the public and scientific community something NOAA prioritizes as a public agency.
Mckenzie painting a mural of Florida pollinators in the USF Access 3D Lab
USF Assistant Professor of Instruction Tina Piracci, faculty leader of the ORB project, initially met Newbern as a first-year student in her Honors Art + the Environment course.
Mckenzie independently founded and managed the projects online presence, using it to communicate our mission, document progress, and connect with local stakeholders, said Piracci. She also took the initiative to begin solidifying partnerships with community organizations, strengthening the projects visibility and long-term sustainability.
Beyond the ORB project, Newbern also served as the art lead for a mural project in the USF Access 3D Lab, a dedicated space providing tools for digital scholarship. She used the opportunity to inspire a love for the environment.
Designing and leading the creation of a mural featuring Floridas pollinators was both creatively challenging and deeply rewarding, said Newbern.
Growing Projects with New Opportunities
Newbern will continue working with the ORB project as an intern in the coming year
while securing her NOAA internship placement for next summer. She is also beginning
a new mural as part of her capstone project in the USF Botanical Gardens.
After graduating, Newbern intends to pursue graduate school and continue working in
coastal restoration, marine habitat monitoring, and species conservation.
Students interested in the Hollings Scholarship should visit the USF Office of National Scholars website.