Press Releases

July 2, 1996
21st FULBRIGHT SALUTE FOR SOUTHAMPTON: 21 SCHOLARS IN 21 YEARS

Contact: Jane Finalborgo
Tel: (516) 287-8313 / Fax: (516) 283-4081

Three seniors at Long Island University's Southampton Graduate Campus have received 1996 Fulbright Scholarships for graduate study abroad. The recipients

• Stephanie Burkhart
• Kelly Ryder
• Jennifer Melnyk

are the 19th, 20th and 21st students from the College to receive the prestigious honor in the past 21 years.

Stephanie Burkhart and Jennifer Melnyk with Professor Sandy Shumway

"In the past three years Southampton has had seven Fulbright Scholarship recipients in its graduating class, an extraordinary accomplishment for a small College such as ours," said Provost Tim Bishop. "We are especially pleased to continue the tradition this year as the Fulbright Program celebrates its 50th anniversary."

---

Stephanie Burkhart of Somis, Calif., a Biology major, will work with Dr. Elizabeth Slooten at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her project is titled "Management Strategies for the Endangered Hector's Dolphin."

During her study, Burkhart will assess management practices, interact with local commercial fishermen, study the dead animals, and observe the gillnet process that causes the dolphins to become entangled.

"Endangered species and the threat of extinction are worldwide concerns," said Burkhart. "Any work that contributes to the prevention of these problems is of interest to the New Zealand community, and beyond."

Burkhart has worked as an intern and research assistant at the Marine Mammal Research Program at Texas A&M, at Oregon State University, and at Southampton Graduate Campus. She tutors in English, math, biology, and chemistry, and is a member of the Marine Science Club, the Honors Program, and the TriBeta Biological Honor Society.

---

Kelly Ryder of Lindenhurst, N.Y., a Marine Science major, will study with Dr. John West at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her 10-month project is titled "Molecular Systematics in the Red Alga Bostrychia."

This macro algae has a widespread global distribution and can adapt to a wide array of environmental factors. The collected data should be useful in managing other harmful algae that create serious economic and environmental repercussions around the world.

"Any research which provides a fuller understanding of the systematics of these marine plants by extension helps us avoid the economic and environmental setbacks of disruption of population dynamics," said Ryder. "Also, this work helps define the tolerances of algae that might be cultivated for commercial purposes."

Ryder completed a co-op at the Center for Marine Research in Dublin, Ireland, and an internship at the Universite de Nice, France. She now works at Brookhaven National Laboratory as an assistant. She is a member of the Submersibles S.C.U.B.A. Club and the Honors Program. She expects to pursue her Master's Degree after her year in Melbourne.

---

Jennifer Melnyk of Euclid, Ohio, a Marine Science major, will receive a full grant for a 9-month study at Laval University in Quebec. Her project is titled "Factors Influencing the Primary Settlement of Mytilus Edulis Larvae."

Working with Dr. Edwin Bourget, Melnyk will study blue mussels, where and why primary larval settlement occurs, and how specific habitat colonization is affected.

"I am glad that I decided to attend Southampton Graduate Campus, not only because of its reputable marine science program, but because of its extensive Internship and Cooperative Education Programs," said Melnyk, an Honors Society member.

In the Fall of 1995, Melnyk participated in the SEAmester program, in which students spend a semester aboard a 125-foot schooner as it sails from the Caribbean to Boston. She has interned at the University of Nice, worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and volunteered at the Dutch Seal Research and Rescue Center, and at Case Western Reserve University.

---

Dr. Robert Danziger, a professor in the Natural Science division, is the Faculty Fulbright Advisor at Southampton Graduate Campus. He said, "The success of Stephanie, Kelly and Jennifer is a reflection of the support they received from their advisors, Sandy Shumway and Larry Liddle, as well as other Natural Science faculty, along with the diversity of extraordinary research experience, of which they availed themselves over the past four years." Danziger can be reached at (516) 287-8410, or by e-mail at danziger@sunburn.liunet.edu.

Through the Fulbright program, about 850 American students go abroad each year while 1200 foreign students come to the U.S. to "increase mutual understanding" through exchanges.