UCSB Marine Science Department

Working with the Marine Science Department, I got the chance to go out into the field of the intertidal zone, following the tidal cycle. This means that not only did I get experience with choosing random sample locations, using cartography devices, and identifying the genders of seagrass flowers using non-destructive methods, but that I often did these things at night, adding an extra layer of out-in-the-field challenge.

I am especially proud of my time working with the Marine Science Department because I got to help mentor and guide highschool students on a college summer mentorship program. While I had been a tutor and teaching assistant before, this was my first real chance to provide higher-education mentorship to children. It really sparked my love for helping, encouraging, and uplifting others.

P.I.S.C.O.

Working at P.I.S.C.O. as a dedicated volunteer intern, I prepared, cleaned up, and helped organize samples that had been retrieved from collection devices in the Pacific intertidal zone. I used laboratory equipment to distinguish, categorize and document various marine species smaller than 1 mm.

My hours logged contributed data to a massive, long-running survey dating back to 1999 and still ongoing to this day, tracking biodiversity and habitat stability in an especially vulnerable environment, and measuring the positive impact of designating locations Marine Protected Areas.