Project Dragonfly master's student Diego Jimenez awarded scholarship from Miami University's Global Initiatives to travel to Australia

2017 Apr 19

Chicago, Ill., resident Diego Jimenez has received a Summer Credit Workshop Study Abroad Scholarship from Miami University's Global Initiatives office to help fund travel on a summer 2017 Earth Expeditions course to Australia.

Jimenez was one of three students selected from 61 applicants. A client services manager, Jimenez is a master's student in the Advanced Inquiry Program from Project Dragonfly at Miami. This summer he will study coral reef ecology and the conservation of marine systems along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Jimenez said he is interested in visiting Reef HQ Aquarium which runs an on-site turtle hospital and implements a range of education programs. Australia will provide Jimenez who has a passion for storytelling with powerful stories for inspiring positive action for conservation solutions in his local community.

Miami's Global Initiatives scholarship committee asks applicants to explain how traveling abroad serves to advance their personal, academic and professional goals. The committee was impressed with Jimenez's interest in connecting his profession as a client services manager to his master's work on conservation with a focus on community-engagement in the field, particularly in the coasts.

Australia is home to one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef. During the field portion of this course, Jimenez will be venturing forth on several excursions for direct research on the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in some of Australia's unique terrestrial habitats and discussing a range of marine science issues, as well as citizen engagement in marine science and environmental stewardship.

Miami University's Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits and graduate programs worldwide. Project Dragonfly is based in the department of biology at Miami University, a state university in Oxford, Ohio. Miami was established in 1809 and is listed as one of the eight original Public Ivies.

Miami's Global Initiatives office supports Miami University's global teaching, outreach and research missions. Global Initiatives supports and encourages Miami's commitment to dynamic and comprehensive internationalization, resulting in a diverse cultural and global learning experience for students.

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