Galveston Professor Inducted Into Texas Women's Hall Of Fame    

On Thursday, November 9, Texas A&M University at Galveston professor Dr. Antoinetta Quigg was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. Recognized for her significant contributions to the scientific community through her research of Texas's coastal ecosystem and dedication to mentoring students, she is one of just a handful of Texas women inducted this year for outstanding achievement in their respective fields. 

"The Texas Women's Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates remarkable Texas women not only for their individual achievements but also for their contributions to building an even stronger Texas of tomorrow," said Governor Abbott about the inductees. "Women of vision, tenacity, and generosity, they are an inspiration for the next generation of leaders who will follow them."

Quigg's world-renowned Phytoplankton Dynamics Lab uses phytoplankton as model organisms to address questions about water, climate and energy. The lab focuses predominantly in the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston Bay and other Texas bayous, but also works alongside colleagues in different regions of the world. 

As the first female faculty member hired in the Department of Marine Biology at the Galveston campus in 2003, Quigg is passionate about serving and promoting fellow women and minority students, having mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. Now the senior associate vice president for research and graduate studies, she dedicates herself to supporting education and outreach, mentoring, collegiality and collaboration amongst the campus and broader community members.  

"We are so proud of and inspired by Dr. Quigg's work and her commitment to her students," said Dr. Deborah Thomas, the executive associate vice president for academic affairs of Texas A&M University at Galveston and associate provost of Texas A&M University. "Not only has she developed a highly impactful and prolific research program, she has done so in a way that has created a space where students are empowered to thrive in all of their academic pursuits and goals. This recognition is so well deserved!"

Quigg was nominated by Sarah Davis and Jordan Walker, both Ph.D. candidates at the Galveston campus, and Dr. Jamie Steichen, an assistant instructional professor in the department of marine biology and research scientist in the phytoplankton dynamics lab. 

"I have always been astounded by Dr. Quigg's commitment to the advancement of all students on campus," said Walker. "Her ability to cultivate a really supportive research community while producing high level research is truly impressive. I am elated that the Texas Women's Commission recognized her amazing contributions to the state of Texas." 

Quigg is now a regents professor with a joint appointment in Oceanography at the College Station campus of Texas A&M. Quigg earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemistry from La Trobe University and her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Monash University, both in Australia.

Established in 1984 by the Texas Governor's Commission for Women, the Texas Women's Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of Texas women nominated biennially by Texans and selected by an independent panel of judges. Inductees include former First Ladies, astronauts, entrepreneurs, public servants, Olympic athletes, and other women of significant accomplishment.