FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MTS ROV Committee Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients

WASHINGTON D.C. - JULY 22, 2025 - The Marine Technology Society's (MTS) ROV Committee is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 ROV scholarships: Daniel Heil, Vanessa Huerta, and Shamus Mayo. These prestigious awards recognize students demonstrating exceptional commitment to the advancement of remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology and marine science.

MTS ROV Committee Chair Bob Christ congratulated the recipients of this year’s awards, “Along with Vice Chair Nancy Summers, I am thrilled to award these scholarships to these fine young rising stars within our ROV industry. We recognize their commitment to excellence along with their contributions to the development of this function within the overall subsea and robotics space. Mankind’s detailed exploration of the oceans is still in its infancy. With these talented individuals adding their energy to our collective knowledge, I am anxiously watching for step change in the upcoming generation of Ocean Explorers!”

The MTS ROV Scholarship has historically awarded grants to MTS Student members interested in ROVs or work that promotes the use of ROVs. Since 1994, over $450,000 has been awarded to over 100 deserving students. In addition to scholarships, the ROV Committee also supports the MATE ROV Competition each year with a financial contribution to help continue their excellent work promoting STEM Education and ROVs.

Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients

Daniel Heil

Daniel Heil is a former professional mariner with over a decade of experience working aboard tugboats, expedition vessels, and cargo craft across the globe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is currently studying at Northwestern Michigan College, where he has consistently made the Dean’s List while pursuing training in remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations and marine technology. Daniel is passionate about the future of ocean exploration and believes that robotics and automation will play a central role in preserving and expanding humanity’s relationship with the sea. With a deep respect for traditional seamanship and a forward-looking approach to innovation, he is committed to becoming an expert ROV pilot and technical specialist.

Vanessa Huerta

Vanessa Huerta is an incoming Electrical Engineering student at the University of Illinois in Chicago, and a proud first-generation Latina pursuing a future in marine technology and robotics. She recently earned her Associate in Engineering Science from William Rainey Harper College, where she strengthened her academic foundation in math and physics. However, the experiences that truly shaped Vanessa began in high school, where she led her school’s MATE Underwater Robotics Team. Those years of building, testing, and refining ROVs were not only technically formative but deeply personal, teaching her what it means to design with purpose, lead with determination, and find confidence in her abilities even when the odds were against her. These accomplishments have shaped her into a passionate, capable engineer, and she carries them forward with pride as she continues working toward a future in marine instrumentation and autonomous systems.

Shamus Mayo

Shamus Mayo is currently finishing his second year of a three-year ROV/UV program at the Marine Institute (Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador). He has been interested in mechanics and solving problems from a very early age. After graduating with Honors from Holy Trinity High School, he was accepted into the Engineering Program at Memorial University, but soon felt that it was just not the path for him. Shamus took a break from school and explored his options while working, saving up to go back to school. After receiving a tour of the ROV facility, he immediately realized he found the path he needed to take. During the past two years, Shamus has gained knowledge and experiences that will prepare him for an exciting and fulfilling ROV technician career when he completes his final year.

About the MTS ROV Committee

The purpose of the ROV Committee is to promote the interchange of technical information among industrial, academic, defense and other organizations on an international basis in the areas of ROVs, undersea robotics and artificial intelligence; to provide speakers to academic institutions, to increase the participation of students in the society and areas of ROV and undersea technology; and to produce technical publications related to ROV technology. The ROV Committee is a part of the Marine Technology Society (MTS), and a primary driver of the Committee’s work is to support STEM learning through the MATE ROV Competition.

About the Marine Technology Society

The  Marine Technology Society  (MTS) believes that advancements in the development and use of marine technologies are essential to support responsible and sustainable use of the ocean. Founded in 1963, we are an international professional society that provides members of academia, government, and industry a common forum for the exchange of information and ideas. Our members are engineers, scientists, technologists, policy makers, and educators on the leading-edge of technology design and application. MTS members work within the full spectrum of ocean and subsea technologies that support sustainable ocean use, ranging from offshore energy to dynamic positioning, ocean robotics to buoys, and many more.

Media Contact

Chelsea Bladow
Director of Communications | Marine Technology Society
[email protected] | mtsoociety.org