Saluting Graduates: Laboratory experience equips Sea Aggie to embrace nuclear option
After caring for animals at Moody Gardens and earning a marine biology degree from Texas A&M University at Galveston, Isabel Rogers ’26 is following her mom into the energy industry.
Isabel Rogers chose to major in marine biology out of a love of the water and desire to work in laboratories. Credit: Texas A&M University at Galveston Marketing and Communications Department
Mom needn’t be a nuclear scientist to know best, but it doesn’t hurt.
Eight years ago, Isabel Rogers’ mother guided the aspiring scientist to Moody Gardens, where volunteer opportunities in the attraction’s pyramids grew into paying jobs and pointed the young animal and water enthusiast to Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG).
“I chose the Galveston campus because I wanted to be part of Texas A&M, but I also wanted to stay close to my job,” said the Sea Aggie from Texas City. “I chose marine biology as my major because I love the ocean and wanted to gain experience working in biology and chemistry labs.”
At Moody Gardens, Rogers has worked in the bug lab, introduced ambassador animals to guests, prepared healthy foods for captive wildlife, and educated visitors about conservation efforts, but that chapter is closing soon.
Rogers, who will graduate from TAMUG with a Bachelor of Science in marine biology on Aug. 7, has already attended orientation for her next job working in the chemistry lab at a nuclear powerplant in Bay City.
“I love challenging myself, and I knew I wanted to work in nuclear, because my mom has talked about it so much,” Rogers said. “Nuclear needs biologists, because you’ve got to make sure everybody around it is safe.”
The marine biologist also is thrilled about getting to work in a chemistry lab.
“I love doing water testing and water chemistry,” Rogers said. “I know many students think, ‘Chemistry is the worst,’ but I understood it, so that’s why I enjoy it.”
To prepare for the new career, Rogers faithfully attended her TAMUG classes, built relationships with faculty in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, and sought opportunities to work in the biology, chemistry, and phytoplankton laboratories.
The graduating senior also researched phytoplankton photosynthetic efficiency, work that required daily visits to the Sea Life Facility to measure absorption and growth rates. Rogers presented those findings during the annual Student Research Symposium in April.
“My advice to future Sea Aggies would be to go to class,” Rogers said. “I know you don’t want to wake up in the morning, but go to class because the professors do notice since we’re a smaller campus.”
Faithful attendance also helps students build vital relationships with faculty.
“Build a good relationship with all your professors, because they are the ones that are going to help you through your college career,” Rogers said. “Building those relationships definitely helped me get into labs.”
Beyond labs, a job, and studying, the diligent student engaged with campus organizations and traditions.
Rogers co-captained the Women’s Soccer Club and ranks Midnight Yell as a favorite tradition.
“Going there during the fall is so much fun,” Rogers said. “I’d meet people there I’d never seen on campus before, and then I’d start seeing them everywhere.”
Like many Texas A&M traditions, the Midnight Yell practice is about standing together as a difference-making force.
“What it means to me to be an Aggie is always to step up, be there, and work hard,” Rogers said, noting that many future co-workers at the nuclear plant are Aggies too. “Building a network is what Aggies do.”
