Introducing the 2024 NOSB National Ocean Scholars

Claire Guo

Claire Guo, with her Newport High School (Washington) team members, competed at the Orca Bowl in 2021 and 2024. Throughout her high school career, Claire has been applauded for her leadership, integrity, work ethic, and passion for science. She has actively given back to her community and served as a positive role model for others. She volunteered at the Seattle Aquarium, served as a peer tutor for high school students, tutored language and culture at the Jing Mei Chinese elementary school, and even received a grant to build a Chinese reading library in her school. She also served as a Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean advocate, educating and inspiring others about topics of coral reef ecosystems, discussing threats facing endangered species, and trying to reframe the narratives around organisms such as sharks who are typically feared. Claire plans to pursue a career in marine conservation after attending the University of Washington (majoring in Aquatic and Fishery Science) and leveraging her education and interest in advocacy as catalysts for environmental change.

Kayla Holland

Kayla Holland competed at the Southern Stingray Bowl with her Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (Georgia) team, serving as co-captain in 2024. Kayla is described as a dependable student and NOSB team member with a strong work ethic. She completed six independent research projects while in high school, including investigating the effects of nicotine drops on small cancer lung cells as well as animal studies with Drosophila melanogaster and Planaria torva. She also investigated the effects of resveratrol on the lysis of skin melanoma cells. Kayla presented her research at the regional, state, and international level including the International Science and Engineering Festival in 2022. As a result of her consistent interest and performance in biology, Kayla was chosen to attend the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for biology in 2022. Kayla will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, majoring in neuroscience and taking coursework in marine mammal physiology and oceanography. Her ambition is to become a Veterinary Neurologist specializing in marine mammals.

Mackenzie Clifton

Mackenzie Clifton competed in the Florida Spoonbill Bowl for three years on her Navarre Beach Marine Science Station team. She also competed in other competitions including robotics, SeaPerch, and Science Olympiad competitions, often mentoring other team members and leading discussions on concepts being studied. She was first inspired to educate others, especially children, about the importance of conserving marine life when her family surprised her with a trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium after watching the film “Dolphin Tale.” After viewing the film, she immediately showed an interest in helping sea life and was determined to pursue a career as a Marine Mammal Care Specialist and educator at the aquarium. She attended summer camps and classes at several aquariums and science centers throughout Florida, then served as a volunteer or educator at some of those same places, including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. At the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, Mackenzie’s achievements included spearheading a National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant initiative titled “Empowering Students to Take Action: Aquatic Care Team,” and collecting original data to establish a foundational understanding of water quality within the local watershed. Mackenzie will attend the University of South Florida with the goal of receiving a master’s degree in marine biology.

Mark Shih

Mark Shih competed at the Blue Lobster Bowl for three years on a team from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (Massachusetts), serving as team captain his senior year. Mark was drawn to participate in the NOSB and learn more about the mysteries of the ocean after participating in numerous beach cleanups with the Ocean Conservancy. In fact, he highlighted his passion for conservation and the responsible management of the natural world through his organization of his own beach cleanup in Marblehead, including getting approval from local government and reaching out to the community to engage and educate volunteers. Mark also gives back to his community by providing free music lessons to low-income youth through NoteLove Boston and assisting his sensei with teaching Karate to younger students. Mark will attend the University of Rochester, focusing on oceanography and environmental science courses, with undergraduate research in marine biology. He hopes to ultimately pursue a career in ocean research and sustainability.

Michelle So

Michelle So competed in the Los Angeles Surf Bowl with her team from Arcadia High School (California) in 2022 and 2024, also serving as the high school’s Ocean Science Bowl’s Public Relations Officer for the 2022 – 2023 school year. She initially became fascinated with marine life through owning, and caring for, her own aquarium. She was captivated by how her fancy guppies flashed their tails in synchronicity and became fixated on fine-tuning the pH, nitrates, and carbon dioxide within their tank. That hands-on experimentation led her to the field of organismal biology and ecology. Michelle will attend Yale College, majoring in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and taking coursework that allows her to maximize her contribution to environmental conservation. While at Yale, she plans to join the Student Environmental Coalition and advocate for sustainability in order to reduce the amount of plastic deposited into landfills and subsequently reduce its prevalence in our oceans. While in high school she served as one of three Editors in Chief for the school newspaper, earning recognition and publication from PBS NewsHour for and article on climate change and environmental education. Therefore, Michelle also hopes to write for the Yale Daily News and cover oceanographic research with the Yale Scientific Magazine.

National Ocean Scholar Program

Visit our Scholarships page for information about the criteria and application package.

If you are interested in supporting the National Ocean Scholar Program and helping future ocean scientists, please consider donating to the scholarship fund (please contact the National Office for more details or visit our Donations page).