The University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is proud to welcome the seven undergraduate students participating in the 2024 Semester at Skidaway Field Study program.
Each fall, Semester at Skidaway, designed for undergraduates enrolled in UGA’s B.S. in ocean science degree program, places students on the Georgia coast for a unique, hands-on learning experience.
Students take courses on the SkIO campus taught by SkIO faculty members, participate in field trips to scientifically and culturally relevant locations, explore the coastal area on SkIO’s fleet of small vessels, and cruise on the R/V Savannah for an overnight research expedition.
The 2024 Semester at Skidaway students include:
Chloe Baldwin
- Hometown: Gainesville, Ga.
- Major(s): ocean science, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: “I look forward to getting more experience in doing research and reading and writing scientific papers.”
Kayleigh Everhart
- Hometown: Kennesaw, Ga.
- Major(s): ocean science, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: “I am super excited to participate in undergraduate research. I’m really interested in both geological and biological aspects of oceanography, and I’m looking forward to getting hands-on experience, both in the lab and in the field!”
Sam Gebhardt
- Hometown: Born in Massachusetts, currently lives in Cumming, Ga.
- Major(s): ocean science, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: Sam said he is most looking forward to the research cruise aboard the R/V Savannah.
Brigitte Lueder
- Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
- Major(s): ocean science and ecology, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: “I am most looking forward to the research vessel trips and learning about opportunities in ocean science.”
Madison Neely
- Hometown: Canton, Ga.
- Major(s): ocean science, minor in ecology, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: “I am really excited to be a part of field work while I am here, because I do not have that much experience with working in the field. I am also really excited to be living in a new city with so much interesting history. I’m really eager to see what Savannah has to offer.”
Lia Wagner
- Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
- Major(s): ocean science and ecology, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: “I’m most looking forward to being able to be fully immersed in the marine science world, especially with all of the fieldwork and research we have the opportunity to participate in while here. I think it will be a great opportunity to work closely with the topics we’ve been learning about for so long, to find which I’m most passionate about, and have the added bonus of living on the coast.”
Jackson Vassy
- Hometown: Evansville, Ind.
- Major(s): ocean science and microbiology, University of Georgia
- Looking forward to most during Semester at Skidaway: “I’m incredibly excited to participate in field work this semester as most of my experience has been in the lab. I can’t wait to get started!”
About SkIO
The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and training institution located on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia. The Institute was founded in 1967 with a mission to conduct research in all fields of oceanography. In 2013, SkIO was merged with the University of Georgia. The campus serves as a gateway to coastal and marine environments for programs throughout the University System. The Institute’s primary goals are to further the understanding of marine and environmental processes, conduct leading-edge research on coastal and marine systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists. For more information, visit www.skio.uga.edu.