CCS Announces 2020 Ruth Hiebert Memorial Fellowship Awardees and Celebration of Women in Science

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) invites members and friends to attend an online Celebration of Women in Science & Chase Miller Policy Forum Lecture on Wednesday, March 24 at 7 pm. The event honors the winners of the 2020 Ruth Hiebert Memorial Fellowship, Carolyn Hanrahan and Courtney Milley.

Carolyn Hanrahan is a senior at St. Olaf College in Minnesota studying environmental science. She grew up on Cape Cod, and was working as the Marine and Environmental Educator at Pleasant Bay Community Boating when she met Owen Nichols, Director of Marine Fisheries Research (MFR) at CCS, and learned about his numerous and diverse projects. In January 2020 she completed an internship in the MFR program, working predominantly on analysis of underwater video of actively fishing gillnet gear to help document and understand bycatch and depredation in the gillnet fishery. Upon graduation, Carolyn plans to pursue a career in coastal and marine environmental protection.

Courtney Milley grew up in Chatham. She is a graduate of the University of Miami and is currently working on her MA in Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island. Courtney joined CCS as a volunteer in 2018 and quickly became an integral part of the CCS Education Department’s summer education programs. While at CCS Courtney developed an interest in microplastics, which she has carried through to her MA thesis; a study of effective means of communication to encourage public support for policies aimed at tackling plastic pollution. She plans to work in marine policy after graduation, to push measures to reduce plastic production and consumption.

The Ruth Hiebert Memorial Fellowship was established in honor of the late Ruth Hiebert (pictured), a local philanthropist and friend of CCS whose passion for science, the natural world, education and her community were well known on the Cape and beyond. The Fellowship is awarded annually to women affiliated with CCS who are pursuing studies or a career in science. CCS sustains this Fellowship with funds raised at the annual Homeport event, which brings CCS supporters together to celebrate scholarship, community spirit and philanthropy.

The Chase Miller Policy Forum is a series of free lectures and discussions designed to educate the public on the role of science in public policy as it relates to the marine environment. This forum is made possible by the generous support of Linda B. Miller, PhD, a long-time patron and member of the CCS Board of Directors.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the event.