Scholarship Helps OIMB Undergrads
The Neil Richmond Memorial Scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit and need to students attending the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology fall or spring session. The scholarship is funded by a grant from Oregon Sea Grant and honors the memory of Neil Richmond. Neil was a marine scientist and friend who worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. This scholarship honors his spirit, curiosity and love of learning.
Award & Eligibility
This award ranges from $500 to $1,000 for spring or fall term. This scholarship is available to students attending the University of Oregon Oregon's Institute of Marine Biology.
How to Apply
Download application (PDF) and scholarship detail.
Neil Richmond Award Recipients
Max Brooks, Fall 2025
I'm a junior at the University of Oregon. I'm currently taking classes and doing research at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, which has been a fantastic opportunity to expand my knowledge and form connections with peers and mentors.
With my degree in marine biology, I hope to get involved with field research on sharks or marine mammals. My goal is to study their ecological interactions with other marine creatures, as well as humans, and build a better understanding of how we can support these critical animals. Additionally, after some time doing research, I plan to work in the conservation sphere to help protect and preserve our ocean ecosystems. These fragile habitats are under severe stress in our changing world, and I hope to make advancements in both our understanding and support of the aquatic life that is essential to our planet's health.
Kersten Schnurle, Spring 2025
I am pursuing a UO Biology PhD at OIMB, with an expected graduation date of 2029. I'm hoping my PhD work will clarify and inform local actions that can be taken to conserve kelp forest communities along the Oregon coast. Post-graduation, I hope to continue conducting research and teaching field courses about kelp forests and other fascinating habitats and denizens of temperate coasts.
Kayleigh Rampen, Fall 2024
Hoi! I’m Kayleigh Rampen and this year marks my senior year at the University of Oregon, getting my bachelor’s degree in marine biology! It’s also my final term at UO’s coastal campus, the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. I’m originally from Los Angeles, California and I’ve loved the ocean, and the wonders it contains, since before I can remember. I grew up visiting aquariums and tidepools, and snorkeling around Catalina Island and Kauai, Hawaii to get a little closer to the ocean’s creatures. Eventually, that passion transformed into a career interest, pushing me towards getting a degree in marine biology.
Aubrey Taradash, Spring 2024
I have a strong interest for marine ecology, both in the intertidal and subtidal, and have made many great memories doing research through tidepooling and SCUBA diving. I also have a great passion for animal husbandry and wildlife conservation and management. I plan on using my degree to continue conducting research, particularly with government agencies that are involved with marine wildlife. Ideally, I'd like to pursue ecological and environmental research in order to inform conservation and management decisions.
Ryan McCarthy, Spring 2023
Kaiden Walton, Fall 2023
Nicole Nakata, Fall 2022
Alondra German Castaneda, Spring 2022
Alondra is a senior at the University of Oregon, where she is finishing a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. Alondra's desire to pursue a degree in marine biology has remained constant since the age of 13, when she was fortunate enough to spend a week at the Catalina Island Marine Institute through a field trip organized by her middle school. Once Alondra completes her bachelor’s degree in marine biology, she would like to find a career in marine resource management with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
Anna Higgins-Davis, Fall 2021
Anna is a Marine Biology Major finishing her Bachelor of Science degree and plans to graduate of Fall 2021.
After graduating she hopes to get straight into the field of aquarium health care at the Oregon Coast Community College aquarium science program. She has an internship with the Charleston Marine Life Center (CMLC). She has a life-long passion for aquatic animals and hopes to specialize in sharks in the future.
Former Award Recipients
- Melody Lemke (2020)
- Sebastian Bergen (2020)