CofC Alumna Awarded NSF 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.

“Behind every success I’ve had, I have so many accomplished, thoughtful advisors and professors, and letter of recommendation letters who have helped me get here,” says Dombrowski, who thanks the College of Charleston Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (NCA) for helping her secure not just this most recent fellowship, but research opportunities she got as an undergraduate, as well.

“As a recipient of both the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship and the Goldwater Scholarship, Emily’s journey shows how a student can use awards to support research opportunities, make valuable connections in their field and gain the expertise needed to successfully pursue their goals,” says Jesslyn Collins-Frohlich, senior instructor of English and director of the NCA, which is committed to raising the College’s national and international profile by helping students pursue prestigious opportunities in undergraduate and graduate studies, independent research projects, language acquisition and various study abroad experiences.

“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.”