The Women Divers Hall of Fame has announced the latest recipient of the Simone Melchior Cousteau Research Grant.
The latest recipient is Megan Conkling, a 2nd-year Ph.D. student at Florida Atlantic University.
The US$5,000 (~4,196 Euro) grant is for women researching communities or species affected by climate change in either the marine or freshwater environment.
Conkling has started conducting studies into coral reef ecosystem sustainability. She hopes her work will produce several results, including determining how resistant Florida sponges are to climate change-caused alterations in environmental conditions.
The grant is in tribute to the renowned explorer and one of the first female scuba divers, Simone Melchior Cousteau. It is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Netherlands-based fashion firm Scotch & Soda.
