A family legacy and love of the ocean led Thomas Kinsey '13 to Spring Hill College­. "Both my mother and father, as well as my father's parents, went to Spring Hill, so the college seemed like a good fit right away," said Kinsey. "I received scholarships from other schools, but the campus and location near the Gulf hooked me. Spring Hill is on the coast, near the beach, and close to my family in Fairhope (Ala.)."

Kinsey, who began at Spring Hill with the goal of becoming a physician, didn't consider marine science as a career option until his junior year, when he began searching for hands-on internship opportunities. He credits majoring in chemistry and having a minor in biology for keeping his options open. "I wanted to work on the chemical side of things during an internship and I love being around the water," said Kinsey. "It was then that it occurred to me that I could make what I liked to do into a career."

During the summer of 2012, Kinsey was offered a summer work-study position at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, where he studied dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) levels in salt marsh soil. "The preliminary research I helped conduct will be used to help the lab receive a grant in studying DMSP biodegradation into the atmosphere from salt marsh environments."

Kinsey's professional connections at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab helped him land another internship - this time through the National Science Foundation at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). "Quite a few people at the Sea Lab had been to BIOS, and they encouraged me to put in an application," said Kinsey. "It was amazing to be chosen from more than 85 students competing for six internships."

The BIOS internship is unlike any other, offering the study biology, physiology, and biochemistry in the open ocean. Part of Kinsey's training included three week-long trips on the BIOS station's RV Atlantic Explorer, a 75-foot-long research vessel. "We took samples in the open ocean where the water was 5,000 meters deep, with the goal of determining the amount of UV and visible light absorbed by dissolved particles in the water that are produced by bacteria.

Scientists will use algorithms from the data collected on the Atlantic Explorer to help improve satellite imaging to measure water quality and photosynthetic production of plankton in the open ocean. The formal title of Kinsey's research project was "Optical Characterization of Chromorphoric Dissolved Organic Matter Produced by Bacteria in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre."

Spring Hill associate professor of chemistry, Dr. Lesli Bordas, is proud of Kinsey's accomplishments. "Thomas is a dynamic individual who has been able to merge his love for science with his love for the environment, specifically the Gulf Coast," said Bordas. "Naturally gifted, Thomas is an easygoing individual who takes the time to be involved in more than just academics. He is a man of truly exceptional character."

Dr. Carolyn Simmons, associate professor of chemistry, added that Kinsey has been a pleasure to teach and advise. "He is genuinely interested in his coursework, and with his naturally inquisitive nature, he very often brought a new perspective to the class material," Simmons said.

"Thomas has a positive attitude, and more gumption and drive for success than nearly any student I've taught. His internship opportunities were ones that he discovered, researched and pursued."

When on campus, Kinsey enjoyed being active in many student organizations, including the Badgers cross country team, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and the SHC Chemistry Club. In addition, Kinsey volunteered through Spring Hill's Foley Community Service Center at Forest Hill Elementary School in Mobile, Ala., where he tutored students in math.

Simmons added that Kinsey is well known for his dependable, honest and friendly nature. "His classmates, on more than a few occasions, referred to Thomas as 'genuinely nice.' I think that sums up his personality beautifully," said Simmons. "Thomas has a positive attitude and if he ever felt stressed or tired, he certainly didn't show it."

Because of his semester away in Bermuda, Kinsey worked hard this summer juggling work and school. He completed two classes required for graduation, while putting in hours as a student contractor with the FDA. "The job is a way to keep me involved in marine science while finishing up my degree. It's more of a marine microbiological atmosphere, which is different from the chemical oceanography I studied in my internships," said Kinsey. "My current project involves looking at different ways of handling raw oysters and how those methods affect bacteria levels in oysters for raw consumption."

Kinsey took the MCAT in July and finished up his bachelor's degree at Spring Hill in August. As for the future, Kinsey is keeping his career plans open and is considering graduate or medical school.

"My time at Spring Hill has been great," said Kinsey. "I've gained invaluable experience and the professors here really had a big part in helping me out and getting me where I wanted to go."