Sofia Ferreira Colman of Paraguay attends the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where she studies marine science. Colman was selected to receive the 2023 Zonta Club of Hilo Women in STEM Scholarship of $1,000.
Colman also was selected as one of 30 women representing 20 countries who were awarded the Zonta International Women in STEM Scholarship of $5,000.
Colman said the scholarships will help her complete her master’s thesis, which involves creating 3D models of Hawaiian coral reefs to investigate connections between the structural complexity of reef habitats and the local fish community. The models can help scientists find ways of fighting climate effect change in Hawaii.
The scholarships are awarded to women pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degrees who demonstrate outstanding potential. More information is available at www.zontahilo.org/scholarships-grants/.