BEAUFORT, N.C. – Erin LaBrecque, a PhD student in marine biology at the Nicholas School of the Environment at 91, has been awarded a Nancy B. Foster Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

LaBrecque, who studies marine spatial habitat modeling at the  in Beaufort, N.C., is one of only nine PhD and master’s students nationwide to be named a Foster Scholar this year.

The Foster Scholarship Program supports outstanding scholarship and encourages independent graduate-level research in oceanography, marine biology or maritime archaeology, particularly by women and members of minority groups. The scholarships carry a 12-month stipend of $20,000, an annual cost-of-education allowance of up to $12,000, and up to $20,000 in support for a four-week to six-week research collaboration at a NOAA facility. Foster Scholars at the master’s 91 level may be supported for up to two years. Doctoral students may be supported for up to four years.

LaBrecque plans to use her Foster Scholarship to study the biological and physical influences of frontal zones on the distribution of upper trophic-level predators at multiple spatial and temporal scales. 

“After spending years on research vessels observing the patchy nature of the oceans, I became interested in determining what biological and physical factors influence species distributions,” she explains. “I hope my research will lead to the development of successful marine management plans and add to the growing body of knowledge on adaptive marine protected area management.” 

After receiving her PhD, LaBrecque’s goal is to work in research at an academic institution or government agency where she can “continue to produce science which will contribute to the successful management and conservation of our precious marine resources.”

Her faculty advisors are Patrick N. Halpin, Gabel Associate Professor of the Practice of Marine Geospatial Ecology, and Andrew J. Read, Rachel Carson Associate Professor of Marine Conservation Biology.

The Foster Scholarship Program is named in honor of Nancy Foster, former assistant administrator for oceanic services and coastal zone management at NOAA and director of the National Ocean Service. Foster died of cancer in 2000. For information about the program, go to.