UCF Graduate Student Awarded Prestigious Marine Conservation Scholarship Named After Distinguished Marine Biologist Susan L. Williams

Biology student Carla Perscky will conduct first-time research, developing innovative technologies to help conserve tropical seagrass, a vital habitat for many marine species

By: Ana G. Hidalgo | May 22, 2025

Carla Perscky, a master’s student in the UCF Department of Biology and Navy veteran, received the Women Divers Hall of Fame’s (WDHOF) Susan L. Williams Memorial Graduate Marine Conservation Scholarship, a prestigious award that will help her fund critical research on how varying ocean temperatures affect tropical seagrass — a first-time study on this specific species.  

The scholarship is named in honor of the late Susan L. Williams, an internationally recognized WDHOF member and biology professor at the University of California, Davis. Williams was known for her influential research on seagrass and coral reef ecosystems. The award supports graduate student research proposals in marine ecology and encourages leadership early in students’ careers. 

As a first-generation graduate student, Perscky’s passion for marine conservation was shaped by her childhood in Panama, where she grew up in a culture deeply connected to the ocean. Her love for the sea led her to a career in the U.S. Navy, where she spent more than a decade as a boat captain and engineer, broadening her understanding of ocean ecosystems.

“Serving in the U.S. Navy showed me the power and fragility of our oceans,” says Perscky. “In this role, I supported underwater missions like helping map the ocean floor with sonar equipment in places like Papua New Guinea to recover a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter black box lost during military training missions — some of which ended in fatal accidents.”

Working with Navy divers encouraged Perscky to pursue her PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) open water diving certification. Through her diving experience, she witnessed the impacts of coral bleaching in Australia, fueling her commitment to pursue a career in ocean conservation. 

Following her military service, Perscky transitioned to the corporate world, but quickly realized it didn’t align with her passions and goals. Her desire to protect and restore ocean ecosystems was still at the forefront of her mind. 

“I’m very mission-driven and I was looking for my next mission — the corporate world wasn’t it,” says Perscky. “But after I started volunteering with Dr. Linda Walters at the UCF Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab, it gave me purpose again.” 

Working alongside a community of scientists, Perscky applied her maritime skills to engage youth and local communities in coastal ecosystem education and restoration projects. 

“We restored hundreds of feet of coastal habitat — from growing mangroves to transporting them to islands where restoration was needed,” says Perscky. “It was a multi-faceted effort that showed how much time and resources it takes to bring these ecosystems back and why it’s important to conserve them in the first place.” 

In 2023, Perscky participated in UCF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), a hands-on, 10-week research program focused on planting seagrass alongside eastern oysters. 

“This experience opened doors for me,” Perscky says. “I was invited to present my research at the World Seagrass Conference in Italy, where I learned new techniques for testing seagrass. That knowledge inspired my current research, which explores how different warming temperatures affect tropical seagrass.” 

A strong diving background and an admiration for Dr. Williams’ work led her to apply for the Susan L. Williams Memorial Graduate Marine Conservation Scholarship. 

Walters, who serves as a mentor to Perscky, says that she is a great example of a UCF success story. 

“She first came to UCF as an NSF-funded REU intern in my lab while using her veteran benefits to complete a B. S. Environmental Science at Oregon State University and was accepted into our master’s degree program in Biology,” says Walters. “With 10 years of experience as a U.S. Navy boat and diver specialist, the scholarship selection committee made a great choice awarding this scholarship to Carla. Dr. Williams was an amazing coastal biologist whose research spanned many topics, including seagrass conservation — the topic of Carla’s new research. Dr. Williams was also one of my most treasured mentors, missed by many. We are honored that UCF is a part of keeping her legacy alive.” 

William’s legacy is one that inspired Perscky as she continues to build on important research efforts in protecting vital marine ecosystems. “Dr. Williams was a trailblazer in ocean conservation,” says Perscky. “She began testing the thermal effects on a different species of seagrass back in 2016, so it’s an honor to receive a scholarship named after her.” 

Perscky says that beyond being a financial boost, receiving the scholarship was a vote of confidence — empowering her to move forward with her proposed experiments, engage volunteers in the research and share findings that could inform future conservation efforts. 

“Under the guidance of Dr. Walters, who was mentored by Dr. Williams, I feel like I’m part of a legacy of women mentoring the next generation,” says Perscky.  

Now serving as executive director of Anglers for Conservation — a non-profit that engages communities, especially youth, in sustainable fishing practices, environmental education and hands-on habitat restoration — Perscky plans to use the scholarship to strengthen her leadership, research and data analysis skills to support science-based initiatives at her organization.  

“This scholarship will help me advance research on seagrass genomics and raise awareness about the importance of conserving these ecosystems,” says Perscky. 

When asked what advice she would offer fellow Knights, Perscky emphasized the value of volunteering to gain experience, learn about yourself and discover new passions.  

“Volunteering helped me land a job at Anglers for Conservation, but more importantly, it taught me not to be afraid to pivot,” says Perscky. “As a college student, you often picture your life going in certain direction, but it rarely turns out that way. That’s why it’s important to stay flexible, be a lifelong learner and remain open to new possibilities.”