UCF Biology Student Luciana Banquero Wins Statewide Aylesworth Scholarship

College of Sciences student wins scholarship recognizing the “best and brightest” in marine science

By Sultana Ali

Luciana Banquero is the newest recipient of the Aylesworth Scholarship, one of a few select scholarships given each year across the state of Florida to undergraduate and graduate students for marine science.

Luciana Banquero, a graduate student studying marine science in UCF’s Biology department in the College of Sciences, has won the notable Aylesworth Scholarship from Florida Sea Grant. The scholarship will provide $3,000 a semester over two years for Banquero to pursue her studies in ocean science.

The Aylesworth Scholarship was established in 1984 through a joint partnership between the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science, the Southeastern Fisheries Association, and the Florida Sea Grant College Program. Aylesworth scholarships are named annually, with a few students selected among undergraduate and graduate student applicants across all Florida universities that conduct research in the marine sciences. Aylesworth Scholarship recipients study many subjects that impact the fishing, seafood, and marine industries.

Banquero’s pathway to pursue marine science began in childhood. “Science and biology were always my best subjects in school and my family encouraged my curiosity about plants and animals,” said Banquero. “Later, I felt drawn to conduct research that would contribute to protection of the places I’d enjoyed as a child and had the opportunity to explore in my biology studies at UCF.”

In the Fall of 2019 during her studies at UCF, she began to participate in field work, data entry, and other support for UCF’s Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab, or CEELAB. “I literally and figuratively got my feet wet,” said Banquero.

Banquero (fourth from left) works alongside others in CEELAB to plant seagrass as part of a restoration effort for a near shore seagrass meadow on Florida’s east coast.

CEELAB provides opportunities for UCF students studying Biology in the College of Sciences to work in the field, building hands-on experience. This summer, 15 UCF students are working on coastal restoration and monitoring in the Indian River Lagoon, as well as conservation projects focused on microplastics or coastal acidification.

Pegasus Professor Linda Walters runs the CEELAB, working alongside the students and supporting independent research projects, matching their interests with the needs of the local ecosystem.

Dr. Walters spoke about the experience for students. “It becomes real at 6:30 AM when students are moving biodegradable restoration materials to damaged, intertidal oyster reefs while standing in mud in the middle of a hot, Florida summer. This is how coastal restoration happens and where students put their passion for marine biology to work.”

Banquero (hands at front right) holds seagrass that will be planted in a near shore seagrass meadow. UCF Biology students participating in CEELAB are contributing to ecosystem restoration efforts along Florida’s coasts.

Banquero’s experience through CEELAB was profound, providing her with opportunities to see nature and wildlife—including sea turtles and manatees—firsthand, as well as observe the human impacts on coastal environments.

Her work in CEELAB stood out to Dr. Walters, who continues to see promise in Banquero’s thesis work toward an M.S. in Biology at UCF. “She is a determined person and has wonderful insight and tenacity that will serve her well as a scientist,” says Dr. Walters. “Luciana is a very worthy recipient of the Aylesworth Scholarship and has a bright future in marine science.”

“The experience I have had as a student at the College of Sciences has been lifechanging,” said Banquero. “I’m doing things that have surprised me and found a path forward. I’m grateful to the Biology department for helping to open doors for me in the field of conservation.”

As a first-generation college student, Banquero hopes to inspire more students to pursue careers in marine science and for the public to become more engaged in ecosystem restoration efforts.

“I hope more people pay greater attention to the value of coastal marine resources and see the value in conserving, restoring, and protecting them,” said Banquero.