Our 2024 College and Other-Supported Education Program Students Share Insights

Since 2006, NOAA has partnered with colleges to provide undergraduate students college-funded summer internship opportunities. Students enrolled in one of the partner colleges apply and participate through that college. NOAA collaborates with other universities to offer internship opportunities to help them fulfill their degree requirements. We also mentor students who receive internship and fellowship support from other sources like professional science organizations.

This year, our science center hosted six students from six states and six different colleges and universities. Projects focused on science communication, fish ageing and condition, eDNA, stock assessments, and the impacts of urbanization and contaminants on fish populations.

In each profile, students share a little about what they liked most about their research projects. They also share their insights about their internship experience, what they've gained from it, and more.

Bethany DeLoof (She/Her/Hers)

Bio:

Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio

University: University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island

Degree program: Master's degree in Biological And Environmental Sciences And Graduate Certificate In Science Writing And Rhetoric

Internship Mentor(s):

Project:

Highlighting the Apex Predators Program Work for a Public Audience

What I enjoyed most about my research project:

First, I enjoyed learning and writing about new shark ageing techniques and challenging myself to translate this complex topic for a public audience. Next, I enjoyed interviewing fishermen participating in the Cooperative Shark Tagging Program. It was so interesting to hear their stories about becoming involved in the program and their understanding of its importance. Finally, I liked that I had the opportunity to highlight the tagging program itself, a source of data for NOAA and a collaboration with citizen scientists that deserves recognition.

What I enjoyed most about my internship experience:

This was a great opportunity to become involved in science communication outside of school. I appreciated working with the Apex Predators Program, as my marine science background focused on sharks. After volunteering for Cooperative Atlantic States Shark Pupping and Nursery surveys and gaining shark field research experience, it was neat to work with shark scientists, including Cami McCandless, who led the surveys. I'm also grateful to have worked with Michelle Passerotti for the ageing article and Kate Zewinski, the tagging program's coordinator. Both helped ensure the articles came together nicely!

Daniel DeMilia (He/Him/His)

Bio:

Hometown: Hillsdale, New Jersey

University: Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts

Major(s): Environmental Studies and Health: Science, Society, and Policy

Internship Mentor(s):

Project:

Validation of Coldwater Fish Age by Spontaneous Amino Acid Racemization

What I enjoyed most about my research project:

I enjoyed most how my project incorporated many scientific fields, combining aspects of biology, chemistry, and marine ecology, with potential applications in population health and disease ecology. I was able to learn several techniques and methods, providing me with a diverse set of skills. Ultimately, I feel as though this project has prepared me for a variety of potential career paths in environmental research.

What I enjoyed most about my internship experience:

The highlight of my internship experience was the flexibility I was given. I was able to make decisions about my project and also explore the projects of my peers. I liked helping my peers conduct fieldwork not directly related to my research. Participating in fieldwork solidified my desire to continue pursuing environmental research and I hope to be able to conduct lab and fieldwork in the future. My internship experience at the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Lab was truly invaluable and I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity and the connections I made along the way.

Abigail Lucas (She/Her/Hers)

Bio:

Hometown: Milford, Connecticut

University: Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut

Degree program: Master's program in Integrative Biological Diversity

Internship Mentor(s):

• Yuan Liu, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Project:

Monitoring Biodiversity At Northeast Canyons And Seamounts Marine National Monument Using Environmental DNA Metabarcoding

What I enjoyed most about my research project:

I loved every aspect of my project. I learned how to use a new device to filter environmental DNA samples using the Smith-Root eDNA sampler. This device allows you to filter samples on the spot as they're collected, is user friendly, and self-preserves samples. This experience will help me in my future career. Seeing how research cruises operate further solidified my interest in fieldwork aboard research vessels. To learn where my strengths are best suited in the marine science field and form personal preferences, I must immerse myself into as many different settings as possible. I hope to continue doing research cruises throughout my career.

What I enjoyed most about my internship experience:

I enjoyed collaborating with many scientists while aboard the University of Connecticut's R/V Connecticut, measuring biodiversity and species interactions with living and non-living aspects of their environment. I learned so much from everyone I met during my internship, and I am inspired by their passion and fascination for ocean ecosystems. This experience was the first time doing fieldwork spanning more than one day, and it is safe to say I am hooked on research cruises!

Learn more about Abby's intern experience

Molly Spencer (She/Her/Hers)

Bio:

Hometown: Rockland, Maine

University: University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Degree program: Master's program in coastal sciences

Internship Mentor(s):

• Dan Hennen, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Project:

Reevaluation of the Atlantic Surfclam Stock Assessment Survey Design

What I enjoyed most about my research project:

I worked on projecting how well a federal survey design will be able to keep pace with climate-induced changes in a species habitat. The most exciting part of this opportunity was that this type of assessment, to our knowledge, hasn't been done before. The outcome of this research will inform a major U.S. shellfish fishery on what they can expect regarding stock sustainability in a time of global climate change. This is a key question for many associated with the industry.

What I enjoyed most about my internship experience:

Teaming up with scientists from federal institutions has given me greater insight into the bigger picture of fisheries in coastal sciences, and demonstrated the human perspective to our work. Changes in species habitat have important consequences for these historic industries and the fishers who have spent their lives-some going back for generations-pursuing this resource. These surveys have real-world implications, and I think it's important for me to be involved in research that has this human dynamic to it.

Alison Trackman (She/Her/Hers)

Bio:

Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland

University: Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota

Major(s): Physics

Internship Mentor(s):

Project:

Understanding River Herring Condition Through Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition

What I enjoyed most about my research project:

The main highlight for me about my project was the significant amount of hands-on lab experience I received at the Sandy Hook Lab. I loved learning from and working alongside my mentors. I learned techniques such as preparing fish samples, using organic solvents, troubleshooting instrument functionality, and documenting my methods. I look forward to using the skills that I've developed this summer in the future.

What I enjoyed most about my internship experience:

This internship program offered an incredible opportunity to explore my longstanding interest in environmental science and to contribute to long-term research at the Sandy Hook Lab. The program was also committed to giving me additional opportunities to explore research different from my own. I'm grateful to have been exposed to such a wide range of marine research areas. I also appreciated the opportunity to meet new friends who share similar interests and goals.

Anna Weiner (She/Her)

Bio:

Hometown: Highlands, New Jersey

University: Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts

Major(s): Biology and Spanish

Internship Mentor(s):

• Ann Petersen, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Project:

Impact Of Urbanization And Contaminants On River Herring Populations

What I enjoyed most about my research project:

My favorite part of my project was learning how to take data and turn it into results. I think it's so fascinating to examine all of the river herring organs and learn about histology. Taking my findings and analyzing them is also very rewarding. This project has definitely inspired me to look into a more data-driven career. My project gave me the opportunity to explore facets of scientific research that I've never been exposed to before.

What I enjoyed most about my internship experience:

This experience has been so rewarding not only because of the science, but also because of the advice I've gotten from my mentor and other researchers. Everyone was willing to share their experience and provide insight into how the behind-the-scenes details of a science career actually works. It's made a career in research seem attainable and exciting. I've also enjoyed getting to know other interns in the lab and hear about their projects. It's inspiring to be around other students with interests similar to mine.

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