Student Success
Marine Science Graduates
The UH Hilo Marine Science students have had great success as students and as graduates.
- Each year, between 1-3 students each year have been granted the prestigious NOAA Hollings Scholarship.
- Each year, the MOP Student Symposium provides students from campuses across the University of Hawaiʻi system to present their Skill Project. UH Hilo students have excelled each year, winning the MOP Best Research Paper, as well as other awards, including the Best Poster and Anna Toy Ng Award.
- Students frequently earn travel awards to attend national conferences to present research, including 13 undergraduate and graduate students that attended the ASLO/AGU/TOS Ocean Sciences Meeting in 2014.
- Upon graduation, 80% were successful finding either employment or attending graduate school in their chosen field of study.
- 82% of our students that graduate with a B.S. and apply to graduate school are accepted.
- We have outstanding teaching, laboratory and field resources to prepare the next generation of leaders in marine science.
Career Paths
Career paths pursued by some of our graduates include:
Federal Jobs
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- US Department of Agriculture, Research Technician
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Biologist
State & Local Jobs
- Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health
- Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi
- Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Teacher
- Alaska, Fisheries Biologist
- Oregon, Fisheries Biologist
- CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife
Non-Profit Organizations
- The Nature Conservancy
- Conservation International
- Palmyra Atoll, Island Hostess
- KUPU Hawaii, Environmental Education Leader
- Maui Ocean Center
Academic
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Analytical Lab
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Laboratory Specialist
- Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, Research Assistant
- Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Environmental Research Associate
- Ocean Institute, Program Development Manager
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Faculty
- Utah State University, Faculty
Industry
- Kona Blue, Aquaculture Technician
- Queen's Medical Center, Lab Technician
- Walt Disney World, Water Science Dive Technician
- Ocean Era, Research Assistant
- Symbrosia, Research Assistant
- Cyanotech, Technician
International
- Yap, Conservation Officer
- Palau International Coral Reef Center
- Federated States of Micronesia, Department of Environment
Faculty Success
All tenure and tenure-track faculty have PhDs in marine science related disciplines. The Marine Science department has faculty expertise that cover chemical, biological, and geological oceanography, as well as various aspects of marine biology.
Several faculty members have earned prestigious university awards:
Dr. John Burns
- Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, 2020
Dr. Tracy Wiegner
- UH Hilo Excellence in Scholarly Activity Award, 2019
Dr. Karla McDermid
- University for Hawaiʻi Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, 2010
Lisa Parr
- Francis Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, 2009;
- Nominee for the Frances Davis Award and the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, 2008
Dr. Jason Turner
- Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, 2007