By Ellie Norman ’25
Kendall Cosper ’24, a physics major from Jacksonville, Florida, showcased her summer research at the 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting this past February in New Orleans.
Cosper’s research, fueled by her passion for marine science, was compiled during her participation in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program she found through her advisor, Dr. Mackay Salley ’95, professor of physics.
“When I found that REU opportunity, I really liked it, as well as the research that my mentor was doing,” Cosper says. “It involved a lot of different aspects of biophysics, such as studying the ways animals swim in the water and analyzing data from ocean measurements in physical ways.”
Nearly 6,000 people attended this year’s Ocean Sciences Meeting, which is held every two years and draws participation from scientists across the world.
Cosper confidently introduced her research during a 10-minute oral presentation in front of a crowd of experts. She praises Mackay for his support in her REU search, including writing recommendation letters and refining her presentation skills.
“Kendall is a positive and motivated and student,” Salley says. “She has been a joy to work with and I have loved watching her pursue her passion. I was very excited for her when she got the invitation to present at the conference. I was not only excited about her being able to gain that experience, but also for the people who got to listen to how talented she is.”
After graduation, Cosper plans to gain biology experience in a lab for a year before pursuing her doctorate.