Milla Vogelezang-Liu, a chemical engineering student at Brown University, has been selected as a 2026 Hollings Scholar. The national scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) combines financial support with a paid summer internship and prepares students for applied research, data analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Profile of the Hollings program
The scholarship includes mentoring, technical training and opportunities to present students' own projects. It provides direct access to government research and to experts in oceanography, meteorology, climate science and applied engineering. Participants work on monitoring and modeling tasks and gain experience handling measurement data.
The role of chemical engineering
Skills from fluid mechanics, transport phenomena, reaction kinetics and mass balances are central to ocean and climate questions. They help to understand material transport in the sea, chemical processes in coastal waters and interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean. Laboratory techniques, measurement methods and sensor development are additional strengths. This combination makes it easier to validate data, formulate models and link laboratory work with field studies.
NOAA research opportunities
NOAA investigates topics where chemical and engineering methods are in demand, including ocean acidification, nutrient and pollutant transport, process analyses in marine ecosystems, and the development of robust sensors and automated monitoring systems. Internships within the program offer the chance to carry out measurements, assist with laboratory experiments, perform analyses and calibrate models.
Benefits for climate research and coastal protection
Early involvement of young researchers strengthens the scientific basis for adaptation and mitigation of climate impacts. Well-trained students contribute to more reliable data, more accurate forecasts and better-informed advice. Municipalities and coastal communities benefit, for example, in planning, ecosystem assessment and fisheries management.
Diversity and career paths
Supporting diverse academic backgrounds increases teams' problem-solving capacity: engineering methods complement ecological and climate science approaches. Mentoring by NOAA professionals helps participants navigate career paths in government agencies, academia or the private sector. Project management, science communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are specifically reinforced.
Context of the selection
Vogelezang-Liu's selection highlights the growing importance of engineering skills in climate and marine research. It demonstrates how academic training can quickly translate into practical research—from monitoring and analysis to applied solutions. A practical placement with NOAA is planned as part of the program, tightly linking theory and application.