Maya Lee Wins the Ning Moeller Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship

Major: Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources

Minor or certificate: Environment Geomatics Certificate

Award name: Ning Moeller Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Scholarship

From a young age, I've always had an interest in Ecology. In elementary school, I loved herpes, specifically snakes, and in middle school, I had my first interaction with horseshoe crabs in Cape May. By high school, I was helping my biology teacher take care of Diamondback terrapin hatchlings and volunteered at Jenkinson’s aquarium.

I entered Rutgers initially as a biology major, under SAS. After doing some research, I switched into SEBS my second semester, and declared my major as Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources. I quickly made friends with my peers, and met many influential professors throughout my classes. Rick Lathrop in Remote Sensing, Principles of Natural Resource Management, and Field Techniques. Dave Smith through Fundamentals of Geomatics and Map Design. Suzanne Suhkeo not only as my professor for my first introductory Ecology course but also as my academic advisor. Marci Meixler, Jason Grabosky, Kimberly Russell, Juan Bonachela—all kind souls, clearly passionate in their fields and their students. The insight and connections I have made in this major are invaluable, and have led me to many internships and opportunities. I am leaving this school with more than a degree, with experience and a promising future.

I have been talking with recruiters these past couple months and (hopefully) will be working with spatial data as a GIS Technician. I intend on gaining further experience in the workforce, at least for a couple years before considering higher education. In the future, I want to continue applying the skills I have learned at Rutger’s EENR program to better understand and advance our relationship with the environment, one step at a time.