Start Here. Stay Here. Go Anywhere: A Student Named Lake, Studying the Sea
How undergraduate research launched Addison “Lake” Kobs ’26 toward a Ph.D.
Addison Lake Kobs is headed to Florida International University in Miami to pursue his PhD in biological sciences.
When a student named Lake studies fisheries, others might wonder whether his naming was prophetic.
But Addison Lake Kobs prefers oceans to inland waters, and the forecast powering his academic journey comes not from a handed-down middle name, but rather career goals imagined as a sixth grader.
“I made a fun little presentation saying I was going to go to Texas A&M University at Galveston, to become a marine biologist, and work at SeaWorld,” he said of dreams formed while growing up in San Antonio.
Today, Kobs has shifted his career aspirations from working in an amusement park to becoming a fisheries scientist, with a potential position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To pursue this goal, Kobs is headed to Florida International University in Miami, where he will work in the Fisheries and Ecosystem Assessment Lab while pursuing his PhD in biological sciences.
The research opportunities Kobs pursued and received at TAMUG while earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in marine biology and marine fisheries are allowing him to skip a master’s degree and go directly into a doctorate program.
“That’s why I say get involved,” Kobs said, recommending future TAMUG students connect early in college with professors about research lab opportunities.
Making faculty connections enabled Kobs to spend the summer of 2025 with Oregon State University and NOAA’s Alaskan Fisheries Science Center in Newport, Oregon.
“It’s cool to say a Texas A&M student over in Galveston, Texas, did work that’s impacting the Gulf of Alaska,” Kobs said. “But the only way I got to that opportunity was by getting involved here on campus, getting skills underneath my belt, and getting to know people.”
Kobs, who graduates this week, has interned for three years at the TAMUG Seafood Safety Lab, work that is not only an opportunity to do science but also to give back.
“We give back by testing processed oysters and making sure they are safe for human consumption . . . If these oysters weren’t safe, I would know, and they would not be on your plate.” — Addison Lake Kobs
Kobs’ experience with oysters had a significant impact on his decision to pursue a career dedicated to maintaining healthy fisheries. He explained, “I enjoy seafood, and I want sustainable fisheries to be available for generations to come.”
In addition, Kobs enjoys introducing prospective Sea Aggies to the opportunities available at the Galveston campus. He actively participates by volunteering for Aggieland Saturday and giving tours as a member of the Howdy Crew.
“I’m going to sell my experience to them so that they can know, ‘Hey, if one student did this, that means I can do it,” Kobs said.
