Partnership Travel Award

The Partnership Travel Award encourages networking with groups associated with fisheries science and with AFS, to share knowledge and exchange ideas.

Partnership Travel Award recipients represent the Section at other society’s conferences. The award covers up to $1,000 in travel expenses and may be used to cover airfare/driving expenses, meals, registration, and lodging. The award recipient will represent the Data and Technology Section during the conference and provide a formal summary of their experience to the Section afterward, and is encouraged to submit a paper for the meeting.

Apply today on the Partnership Travel Award page.

Student Poster Award

The Data and Technology Section’s Best Student Poster Award was offered from 2006-2013. The award encourages the dissemination of knowledge gained from using cutting-edge technology in fisheries management and science.  In addition to providing recognition from AFS fisheries professionals, the award is accompanied by a plaque and a $250 cash prize. Students presenting posters at the AFS Annual Meeting that emphasize computer-electronic and/or information technology are encouraged to compete for this award during years offered.

2013

Brittany Schwartzkopf, Louisiana State University

The AFS Fisheries Information and Technology Section (FITS) awarded Brittany Schwartzkopf of Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge with its “Best Student Poster Award” for 2013.  Schwartzkopf’s poster, Seasonal Relationships of Caloric Content and Liver Weight in Red Snapper on Natural Hard-Bottom Banks in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, was judged to be the best presentation by a student on the application of information / technology in fisheries management and research during the 2013 AFS Annual Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Unlike a lot of red snapper research, “which has focused on small artificial reefs in the eastern Gulf of Mexico”, Brittany’s research is directed at red snapper utilizing three large natural hard-bottom reefs, and one artificial reef (toppled oil platform) on the Louisiana continental shelf.  This approach allows for direct comparison between natural and artificial reef sites, as well as comparison within the three natural reef sites – all of which differ in the amount of hard substrate present.  Brittany’s co-author and major professor is Dr. James Cowan, also with Louisiana State University.  Upon completion of her Master’s degree, Brittany looks to continue her work as a Fisheries Biologist with NOAA or a private consulting firm.

2012

Matthew DeAngelo, Saint Louis University

Congratulations to Matthew DeAngelo, this year’s winner of the FITS Best Student Poster Award. Matthew DeAngelo of Saint Louis University;  Labor of Love: Female nurse sharks swim less but expend more energy than males during the mating season. Matt participated in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the Mote Marine Library.  His mentor was Dr. Nick Whitney.  View the poster:  Large (8mb) |  Small (1.5mb)