The Bermuda Zoological Society announced the winners of the 2014 Steinhoff/BZS Scholarship as students Miguel Meijas, Kate Cooper, and Kascia White. Each student has been award $5,000 towards their continued studies in the environmental sciences.

The scholarship was established in 2009 by former BZS president, Robert Steinhoff, to provide educational opportunities for Bermudian students pursuing degrees in environmental sciences at accredited institutions. Students must be in the final two years of a Bachelor’s degree, or working towards a Masters or Doctorate, in their chose field, in order to qualify. Since its inception, more than $50,000 has been awarded to deserving students.

Recipients of the 2014 Steinhoff/BZS Scholarship. L-R: Scholarship founder Robert Steinhoff, Miguel
Mejias, Kate Cooper, Kascia White, and BAMZ Principal Curator Dr. Ian Walker. [Photo credit: L. Johnson]

Miguel Mejias is no stranger at BZS and BAMZ, worked as a student for many years. He has worked closely with the Department of Conservation Services, doing island-wide breeding surveys on Longtails, and with Dr. David Wingate in studying the Cahow. It is his goal to study the breeding success of Longtails in artificial and natural nests. He will be commencing a two-year Masters degree programme in Biology with a specialization in Conservation at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

“Upon completing my programme, I am hoping to gain more field experience abroad,” he shared. “In the future, I hope to work in terrestrial conservation, so I can study Bermuda’s local population of breeding birds, like the Cahow.”

Kate Cooper is studying Zoology with Conservation at Bangor University, North Wales, and will be entering her fourth year to do her Masters. She has worked with BZS and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo since she was a teen, having participated in the Junior Volunteer programme, working as Saturday and summer staff, and was a Stempel intern during the summer after her first year at university.

“I hope to gain work experience overseas for a few years before returning to Bermuda to work with either the Aquarium or Conservation Services,” Kate said. “Receiving this scholarship assists me in getting my masters, which will allow me to gain more experience, and hopefully make me more employable in the future.”

Kascia White will be beginning a 16-month Masters programme in marine management at Dalhousie University. Through the years, she has served as a volunteer in Local Tails, as well as working as a summer student for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo and the Department of Conservation Services.

“After completing my Masters degree, I plan to return to Bermuda and gain employment in the field of marine conservation and management,” she explained. “During my degree, I have the opportunity to intern abroad, and I am hoping to gain useful knowledge and experience that I can bring back and use throughout my career in Bermuda.

“I am extremely grateful for receiving this prestigious award, and I look forward to completing my degree and continuing on the path towards my future career. Thank you to BZS, Mr. Steinhoff, and the scholarship committee – I will continue to work to make this institution proud!”

“Once again we are delighted to be able to support three students through the BZS / Steinhoff Scholarship for environmental studies,” said Dr. Ian Walker, BAMZ Principal Curator. “The scholarship committee was extremely impressed with the caliber of all the students and wishes them well in their upcoming academic year. These young professionals will be valuable contributors to the future of Bermuda’s environment.”

“Additionally, the BZS is extremely grateful to Mr. Robert Steinhoff and his family for their generosity and forward thinking in funding this scholarship.”