Two research scientist associates from the Marine Science Institute, Kim Jackson and Jeff Kaiser, were awarded this year’s The University of Texas President's Outstanding Staff Award for their dedication to promoting advances in research and cultivating a learning atmosphere for the students and staff. To have two recipients from one department is quite an honor. Ms. Jackson and Mr. Kaiser were honored at The President's Staff Awards Banquet held last week at the LBJ Auditorium in Austin, Texas.
Kimberly Jackson (center left) and Jeff Kaiser (center right) both received The University of Texas President's Outstanding Staff Award. Pictured here with Dr. Ken Dunton (left) and Director, Dr. Robert Dickey (right). Photo credit: Phil Madland.Kim Jackson is a Research Scientist Associate and is a dedicated employee at UTMSI. For over 25 years she has been working in the Ken Dunton laboratory where her duties range from mentoring students, serving as field lead, and managing the laboratory. “Kim’s strengths lie in her ability to work positively with a variety of people in often stressful situations. Her work frequently takes her in the field where she must deal with inclement and sometimes dangerous weather and sea conditions,” said supervisor Dr. Ken Dunton. “Her common sense approach and attention to safety has been noticed by many, and consequently students look to Kim for mentorship when in the field,” he reflected.
Jeff Kaiser has been working at the University for just over 17 years (since 1999), starting as a Research Scientist Assistant and rising through the ranks to Research Scientist Associate IV. Throughout that time, he has worked at the Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory where he manages and maintains the fish-keeping facilities and live fishes used for research experiments. “It is a big and complicated job and Jeff always manages it with an amazingly positive attitude!” says supervisor Dr. Lee Fuiman. Jeff has also made significant contributions to the research being conducted at the laboratory. “A few years ago, Jeff came up with the novel idea that we should start researching aquaculture of fish species that are used as bait for sport-fishing. Thanks to Jeff’s suggestion, we now have two major federal grants to develop that technology and we are working directly with Texas fish farmers.” Dr. Fuiman explained.
Kim Jackson and Jeff Kaiser are extraordinarily dedicated employees who work hard to provide a valuable service to a wide variety of customers (supervisor, other faculty members, graduate students, undergraduate students, visiting scientists). Their dedicated support enables the university to accomplish important research and produce high-quality results that are making a significant positive impact on our fisheries and coastal ecosystems.