Marine science and math student competes for national scholarship

Casey Brayton, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, travels to Atlanta on March 7 to interview for the highly prestigious Truman Scholarship. With her, she takes her years of research experience, a record of passion-driven leadership and academic excellence.

The Truman Scholarship grants $30,000 to approximately 60 college juniors across the United States. This award invests in young leaders who demonstrate superior academic ability, commitment to leadership and plans for a career in public service.

Brayton is a double major in marine science and mathematics with a minor in geography. In addition to her studies, Casey has pursued research with professor Alexander Yankovsky of the School of Earth, Ocean and Environment at Carolina and at Scripps Research Institute with the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates. This coming summer she will research with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab.

Her leadership on campus is representative of her personal initiative and commitment to her discipline. She founded and now serves as president of Women in Geosciences. Brayton also serves as the co-chair and chair-elect of the Marine Technology Society, the vice president of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, and a member of the award-winning student organization Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences (SEAS).

A member of the South Carolina. Honors College, Brayton is a Solomon Blatt Carolina Scholar, a 2017 NOAA Holling Scholar, a 2017 Udall Scholar, a Lieber Scholar, a Palmetto Fellow and the 2017 Traci J. Heincelman awardee.

After her time in the College of Arts and Sciences, Casey plans to pursue a doctorate in physical oceanography and a career in research and public policy in a NOAA research lab.

The College of Arts and Sciences wishes Casey the best of luck as she goes for her interview in Atlanta on March 7.