Graduate Ambassadors
The Graduate Ambassador program was started in 2014 to have current graduate students on the Texas A&M University at Galveston campus involved with the Graduate Studies Office. The Ambassadors program has been a great success. Our students have helped to plan several campus events with the Research and Graduate Studies Office. They volunteer to lead campus tours for prospective students, participate in panel discussions with undergraduates, represent the Graduate Studies Office at the Texas A&M Galveston Career Fair, and much more.
They are an invaluable resource to our office and a fantastic group of students to represent their peers. The Ambassadors represent the graduate students in each of our programs on the Texas A&M Galveston campus, including our students pursuing degrees from College Station’s campus.
Please feel free to email gradstudies@tamug.edu if you have questions for our Graduate Ambassadors about the graduate school experience or Texas A&M University Galveston.
Who We Are
Brooke Torjman, Ph.D. student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Hometown: Southampton, PA
Alma Mater: Muhlenberg College
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Why Did You Choose Texas A&M for graduate school?: I chose A&M for graduate school because of how well I connected with my advisor, Dr. Anna Armitage. I knew I could answer my questions and complete research in a place that is in such close proximity to my field sites.
Justin Cerv, Ph.D. student in Oceanography
Hometown: Christiansburg, VA
Alma Mater: Coastal Carolina University
Major: Oceanography
Why Did You Choose A&M for graduate school?:
When deciding to apply for graduate school, I sought a college community that was close-knit, similar to my undergraduate institution, while also providing top-tier academic resources. Of course, I couldn’t be certain a college could meet all of these expectations until I experienced it for myself, but I can truly say, Texas A&M University offered exactly that. A welcoming environment, supportive peers, and collaboration with some of the top scientists in their respective fields.
Kylee Patterson, Ph.D. student in Marine Biology
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Alma Mater: Texas A&M University at Galveston
Major: Marine Biology
Why Did You Choose Texas A&M for graduate school?:
I chose Tamug because a professor on my masters committee saw potential in my work and wanted to have me join his lab to continue that research!
Miranda Sauceda, Ph.D. student in Marine and Coastal Management and Science
Hometown: Robstown, TX
Alma Mater: University of North Texas
Major: Marine and Coastal Management and Science
Why Did You Choose A&M for graduate school?:
My master's advisor at UNT introduced me to my current advisor, Dr. Ross, whose expertise and willingness to support my research journey made a strong impression. Ultimately, the multi-disciplinary nature of the MCMS PhD program motivated me to apply. Acceptance into Texas A&M has been a tremendous opportunity for both my personal development and the advancement of my research.
Ashlyn Posey, Ph.D. student in Oceanography
Hometown: Panama City, Florida
Alma Mater: The University of Florida
Major: Oceanography
Why Did You Choose A&M for graduate school?: I chose to pursue my PhD at Texas A&M Galveston because of my advisor's unique and innovative paleoclimatology research. The smaller campus provides a more personal atmosphere to the students and living on Galveston Island has enabled me to continue pursuing my other passions as well, such as scuba diving.
Daniel Kemp, Ph.D. student in Marine Biology
Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Alma Mater: University of Virginia
Major: Marine Biology
Why Did You Choose A&M for graduate school?:
In my search for a grad program, TAMUG was in the top tier of my picks! The MARB department's reputation was quite stellar, and my current project on the bioenergetics of southern flounder larvae was a great match for the type of physiological and aquaculture-oriented research I was hoping to do in my PhD. Besides that, Galveston is quite similar to my hometown in Florida, so I figured I would enjoy the town!
Crista Kieley, Ph.D. student in Marine Biology
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Alma Mater: University of New England
Major: Marine Biology
Why Did You Choose A&M for graduate school?:
I chose A&M for graduate school after discussing upcoming harmful algal bloom work with my advisor, Dr. Daniel Roelke. I've been fortunate to work in this area of research back home in Ohio, as well as throughout undergrad in Maine. Harmful algal blooms are a complex issue that many regions face, and I was excited by the opportunity to dive deeper into this topic and explore drivers of these blooms here in Texas.