The Billfish Foundation’s Russell S. Nelson, Ph.D. Graduate Science Scholastic Scholarship honors the legacy of a nationally respected scientist who served as Director of Florida’s Marine Fisheries Commission for 13 years before consulting with TBF for over a decade. Dr. Nelson stood out, not only for his scientific expertise but for his rare ability to translate complex science into practical policy and explain it clearly to diverse audiences. He represented TBF on national and international stages and devoted his life to advancing fisheries science and management.
This scholarship was created to honor Dr. Nelson’s legacy and to support the next generation of billfish scientists who embody his values and dedication. Recipients are chosen through a comprehensive review process, evaluating academic merit in billfish science, community involvement, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and financial need. TBF considers all applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
For 2025, we are proud to once again congratulate Miguel Montalvo as the recipient of the Russell S. Nelson Science Scholarship.
Miguel was the inaugural winner of this award in 2024, and his continued academic progress, leadership, and commitment to billfish science made him a standout candidate once again. His path to marine science was unique. After earning a degree in Marketing and Communications from the University of South Florida, Miguel volunteered with the Florida Wildlife Research Institute’s fish and invertebrate collection, where he found his passion for marine biology.
From there, he went on to intern with the Mote Marine Laboratory’s Office of Communications and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. At the Smithsonian, he worked on public outreach and simultaneously volunteered in the Division of Fishes, building research experience that fueled his growing interest in ichthyology.
Now pursuing his Ph.D. at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Miguel is conducting groundbreaking research on the evolutionary development of billfishes, specifically the formation of their elongated bills, their fossil lineage, dentition, and tooth replacement patterns. His work, under the guidance of Dr. Eric Hilton and with support from committee member and TBF collaborator Dr. Jan McDowell, aims to improve our understanding of billfish systematics and feeding behavior and could even be used for materials science applications.
Miguel’s interdisciplinary background, passion for fish biology, and consistent academic excellence truly reflect the spirit of this scholarship and the legacy of Dr. Russell Nelson. We’re honored to continue supporting Miguel’s work and look forward to the contributions he will make to billfish science and conservation.
To learn more about the Russell S. Nelson Science Scholarship or to apply for next year’s award, please visit our website.