Roger Rottmann Memorial Scholarship
Any student, working toward a graduate degree related to the freshwater or marine fisheries sciences, is encouraged to apply. If qualified candidates apply, two scholarships will be given this year: one at the Masters level and one at the PhD level.
The scholarship recipient(s) will be announced and presented with their award during the business meeting portion of the Annual Florida Chapter Meeting.
Dan Nelson, Chair
FAFS Scholarship Committee
Email: daniel.nelson@myfwc.com
Applications must be received by March 31st
Criteria
The Roger Rottmann Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student who is (1) enrolled in an accredited university or college located in Florida, (2) a member of FAFS or has applied to become a member, and (3) majoring in a field of study directly related to freshwater or marine fish biology, fish ecology, fisheries management, or aquatic sciences. In the event that, prior to the awarding of the scholarship, a student withdraws from their university or college, changes to an unapproved field of study (see below), or fails to maintain the necessary grade point average, that student will not be eligible for the award.
Fields of Study: To be eligible, the candidate must be majoring in one of the following fields of study or in a related field with a demonstrated concentration or emphasis on the application of their major to the fisheries sciences.
| Agronomy | Fisheries | Agricultural Engineering |
| Limnology | Aquaculture | Natural Resource Conservation |
| Biology | Natural Resource Economics | Botany |
| Oceanography | Chemistry | Sociology |
| Entomology | Wildlife Ecology | Environmental Education |
| Zoology | Environmental Engineering |
Academic Criteria: the candidate must submit transcripts (copies are ok) to indicate that their overall grade point average (GPA) is at least 3.0 (out of 4).
Application Process: Candidates will complete the required application form and submit transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable), letters of reference, and other appropriate information to the Chair of the FAFS Scholarship Committee by the date established for any given year.
Selection Process: The qualification of the applicants will be reviewed by the FAFS Scholarship Committee comprised of five FAFS members, two from academia, two from the general membership, and the immediate past president of the Chapter. The Committee will maintain a balance of freshwater and marine expertise. The award selection will be based on the applicant’s potential contribution to the fisheries sciences as demonstrated by past performance and their views or philosophy of the role of fisheries scientists in managing Florida’s aquatic resources as expressed in the required essay. Two $1000 scholarships will be awarded (one at the Masters level and one at the PhD level). Current members of the Scholarship Committee are not eligible to receive the scholarship.
Award Recipients
2024
PhD: Sarah Webb, Florida Atlantic University – Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
MS: Ashley Wechsler, University of Florida
2023
PhD: Nicholas Castillo, Florida International University
MS: Kaitlyn O’Neil, University of Florida
2022
PhD: Tyler Coleman, University of Florida
MS: Natasha Viadero, Florida International University
2021
PhD: Lauren Kleiman, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Integrative Biology
MS: Taylor Dluzniewski, University of Florida, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
2020
PhD: Allison Durland Donahou, University of Florida, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
MS: Grace Sowaske, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
2019
PhD: Justin Lewis, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
MS: Marina Schwartz, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
2018
PhD: Shane Ramee, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
MS: Meaghan Faletti, University of South Florida
2017
PhD: Katelyn M. Lawson, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
MS: Natalie A. Simon, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
2016
PhD: Amanda C. Croteau, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
MS: Gregory J. Hill, Florida International, Coastal Fish Ecology and Fisheries, Southeast Environmental Research Center
2015
PhD: Chelsey Crandall, University of Florida, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
MS: Emily Olson, University of Florida.
2014
PhD: Ross Boucek, Florida International University, Department of Biology. Advisor: Jennifer Rehage.
MS: Nicholas Cole, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Mike Allen.
2013
PhD: Andrew Barbour, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Science. Advisor: Don Behringer.
MS: Kyle Wilson, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Mike Allen.
2012
PhD: Geoffrey H. Smith, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Science. Advisor: Deb Murie.
MS: Chelsey A. Campbell, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Daryl Parkyn.
2011
PhD: Janice Kerns, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Mike Allen.
MS: Carla Garreau, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Ruth Francis-Floyd.
2010
PhD: Felipe Carvalho, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
MS: Alecia Adamson, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
2009
PhD: Stuart Carlton (right), University of Florida, School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Advisor: Susan Jacobson.
MS: Patrick O’Rouke (left), University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Mike Allen.
2008
PhD: Zy Biesinger, University of Florida, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Bill Lindberg
MS: Jared Flowers, University of Florida, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Bill Pine
2007
PhD: Matt Catalano, University of Florida, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Mike Allen
2006
MS: Ivy Baremore and Drew Dutterer, University of Florida
2005
PhD: Mark Rogers, University of Florida
MS: Jeff Grim, University of West Florida
2004
MS: Liz Berens, University of Florida
2003
MS: Tim Bonvechio, University of Florida. (Photo to right is President Kathy Guindon presenting the award to Tim)
2002
MS: Bridget Tiffany and Jodie Rummer, University of West Florida
2001
PhD: Steve Huskey, FIT. Honorable Mention: Julie-Anne Roiyes
MS: Kim Tugend, UF. Honorable Mention: Powell Wheeler, UF.
2000
PhD: Jeff Hill, UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Advisor: Chuck Cichra. Honorable mention: Jackie Wilson (UF Department of Zoology, Advisor: Craig Osenberg) and Jynessa Dutka-Gianelli (FIT Department of Biological Sciences, Advisor: Grant Gilmore).
MS: Tom Glancy, UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Advisor: Chuck Cichra. Honorable mention: Kim Tugend, UF Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Advisor: Mike Allen.
1998
Dan Willis