California Marine Sciences Scholarship

To promote a better understanding of the environments we so love to explore, the Central California Council of Diving Clubs, known as Cen Cal, annually offers the California Diving & Aquatic Studies Scholarship. This award was previously named the Seaviews/Cen Cal Marine Science Scholarship.

The award of $1,000 is to support a student engaging in studies of underwater habitats. Aquatic related programs in the disciplines of biology, physical sciences, marine education, maritime archaeology, historical and social aspects of marine resources or the science of diving are relevant for consideration.

Candidates must meet specific requirements to qualify. These requirements are available on line in both html and pdf formats.

An application form is also available on line in both html and pdf formats.

Adobe Acrobat Reader which will enable you to read the .pdf files is available to download free

If you have any questions please contact Jim Kaller by: e-mail or phone 415-362-9134 Extension 12.

If you would like to contribute money in order to increase the amount of the California Diving & Aquatic Studies Scholarship please contact Jim Kaller by: e-mail or phone 415-362-9134 Extension 12.

Kendra Karr, the winner of CEN CAL's 2007 Diving and Aquatic Studies Scholarship, is a graduate student at U.C. Santa Cruz and a researcher at Long Marine Laboratory. She received two Bachelors degrees as an undergraduate, in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) and in Environmental Studies. Kendra already has significant research experience, including work with the Academy of Sciences in Philadelphia and the Nature Conservancy as well as locally in Elkhorn Slough and other areas in Monterey Bay. Kendra's undergraduate thesis concerned trace metals in Elkhorn Slough and their effects on the California mussel (Mytilus californianus). Her current research involves studies of kelp canopies in forests of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). In conducting her studies, she has mastered numerous state-of-the art technologies and field tools. An active SCUBA diver, Kendra is certified as a divemaster with NAUI.

The type of basic scientific research Kendra is doing involving key species in the Northern California marine ecosystem'is of great interest and relevance to all of us who dive in this area.