The Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society's 2017-2018 Rolex Scholars
Courtesy Our World-Underwater Scholarship SocietyMae Dorricott, 2017 European Rolex Scholar
European Rolex Scholar: Mae Dorricott
University: Plymouth University
Major: Marine Biology
Dorricott fell in love with the water at a young age while visiting family in Malaysia and fanned the flames at 12 by earning a dive certification. It all snowballed from there — including a stop in Mexico, where she took part in a conservation program and became a divemaster. Now, Dorricott is pursuing her master’s in scientific communication, and she hopes to use that passion to reconnect others with the sea.
Courtesy Our World-Underwater Scholarship SocietyLeah Potts, 2017 North American Rolex Scholar
North American Rolex Scholar: Leah Potts
University: University of Florida
Major: Agriculture and Biological Engineering
Potts’ love for diving was born on a vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it’s been bred in the caves of north Florida. Potts — who also served as the president of her dive club in college, worked as a divemaster in the Florida Keys and completed a research internship with Divers Alert Network — wants to make the underwater world safer and more accessible through education and exploration.
Courtesy Our World-Underwater Scholarship SocietyMelinda Brown, 2017 Australasian Rolex Scholar
Australasian Rolex Scholar: Melinda Brown
University: University of Newcastle
Major: Marine science, Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Born near the coast, in Newcastle, Australia, Brown has always had a connection with the sea. Her passion led her to volunteer with organizations that focus on cetacean rescue and marine conservation and stints working with turtles abroad in the Maldives and Costa Rica. Brown helped the Taronga Conservation Society Australia carry out research with sharks and sea lions, and now hopes to focus on cetacean research and coral rehabilitation.
