Established in 2024, the David Bailey Coral Research Scholarship was founded through a generous donation from Mrs. Nancy H. Bailey (1966) in memory of her late husband, David.
Overview
David, a lifelong resident of Miami, deeply loved the waters of Biscayne Bay and its vibrant coral reefs. David’s connection to the ocean began early; he was an avid boater from age six and had a lifelong passion for diving on coral reefs. His final resting place is at the Neptune Memorial Reef, where he is buried beneath a lion, a testament to his enduring connection to the sea.
This scholarship honors David’s legacy and love for the ocean and advances crucial research in preserving and understanding the coral reefs he cherished. This scholarship supports graduate students conducting cutting-edge coral reef research, particularly through advanced mapping technologies like the University of Miami’s Helicopter Observation Platform (HOP).
Recipient
The University of Miami Aircraft Center for Earth Studies (ACES) is proud to announce that Jessie Yang has been awarded the David Bailey Coral Mapping Scholarship.
Nancy Bailey and Jessie Yang at the 2025 Scholarship Donor Celebration.
Jessie, a PhD student in Ocean Sciences, has dedicated her research to integrating remote sensing, machine learning, and environmental monitoring to advance coral reef conservation. Her work focuses on real-time coral reef mapping and predictive modeling, leveraging her background in oceanography and engineering to develop innovative tools for studying reef resilience in the face of climate change.
In her application, Jessie shared her lifelong connection to the ocean, from childhood trips to coastal regions to her academic pursuit of marine science. She emphasized the urgent need to monitor and protect coral reefs, highlighting how rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification threaten these vital ecosystems. Through her research, she aims to develop new strategies for assessing reef health, predicting environmental changes, and implementing conservation measures that will have lasting impacts.
The David Bailey Coral Mapping Scholarship provides crucial support for Jessie’s research, empowering her to contribute to the broader mission of marine conservation and ecological sustainability. Her passion, technical expertise, and commitment to advancing coral reef science make her a deserving recipient of this award.
