College of Charleston Alumna awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

With the help of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, marine biology graduate Emily Dombrowski ’23 recently received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

Emily Dombrowski ’23 earned dual degrees in marine biology and French from the College of Charleston, where she discovered her love for research.

As an undergraduate, Dombrowski was intrigued by a project she conducted under Jody Beers, assistant professor of biology, studying how a parasite affected the swimming speed of sea trout. This sparked her interest in the intersection of climate change, environmental factors and organism physiology – a focus she has continued to explore in her graduate work as a doctoral candidate in biology at the University of Vermont.

Dombrowski was recently awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which will provide her with an annual stipend for the next three years as she focuses full time on her research. This recognition will allow her to pursue broader questions about thermal tolerance in invertebrates and apply for funding to study systems like the native and invasive mussels she is currently investigating in Australia.

“The advice I would give to students considering applying to these scholarships is to put yourself out there and focus on questions that you are passionate about,” says Dombrowski, who wants to continue working as a marine biology in a post-doctoral position or as a researcher for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration upon completing graduate school. “I hope to continue connecting with communities about their interests in invasive species management, climate change research and science outreach.”

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Its beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities, cutting-edge programs and accessible faculty, attracts students from across the U.S. and around the world.