Introducing the NMLC 2012 Summer Interns

Summer is a busy time at the National Marine Life Center. With our Discovery Center open everyday, some our major fundraising events taking place, numerous fairs and festivals to attend, and the many camp programs and community groups wanting to learn about NMLC and helping stranded marine animals, we have to call on some extra help. This year we will have the pleasure of working with five student interns who will be the face of  the National Marine Life Center this summer. I would like to introduce you to these five bright young students who will  be spending the summer at the National Marine Life Center.

Animal Care & Education Interns

Animal care and education interns serve NMLC in a number of capacities. They assist with our weekly educational programs including the Little Flippers Club and Marine Animal Medical Mystery. Each intern is assigned a week where planning of the programs is their responsibility. They also represent NMLC at community events and deliver marine science programs to local school and community groups on and off site. They are responsible for the upkeep of our popular Critter Tank in the Discovery Center, and for water quality testing for all of our animal tanks. They will participate in hands on animal husbandry and assist in medical care for our current Red Bellied Cooter patients and any patients admitted into our new marine animal hospital this summer. Each intern will select a project to work on throughout the summer and will present the outcome to the staff, volunteers and public in August.

Smanatha Beynor

Samantha grew up on Cape Cod spending much of her time on the beach. After a discovering a stranded porpoise she became very interested in marine animals strandings and rehabilitation.  Samantha is currently completing her Sophomore year at the University of Conneticuit where she is majoring in Biological Science with a minor in Marine Biology.  She ultimately would like to pursue a career in conservation or animal behavior. Samantha’s background includes volunteering with the Cape Wildlife Center and  coaching tennis for the Barnstable Recreation Department. She is looking forward to “working with the National Marine Life Center Staff and other interns to learn more about marine organisms and rehabilitation, to make new friendships and gain experience.”

Dylan O’Leary

Dylan will be graduating from Ithaca College in May with a degree in Biology. Dylan comes to NMLC with a background in research biology. He recently presented his research findings on the Eastern Chipmunk at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Utah. He has experience handling wild animals in a research/field setting and teaching experience through coaching soccer. He would ultimately like to work in conservation or restoration biology and is most looking forward to “taking [his] very first step into the world of conservation biology and having the opportunity to devote [himself] to the advancement of marine wildlife health”

Alisia Trevino

Alisia from nearby New Bedford, MA is finishing her Sophmore year at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She is majoring in  Marine Biology with a minor is education. Her goal is to work as an educator and teach others about the importance of ocean conservation. Alisia is also a graduate of the Bristol County Agricultural School animal science program where she gained hands on experience with many animals including fish and turtles. Alisia is looking forward to her summer at NMLC and “being able to interact with the public and the children that come visit and teaching them something new about marine animals”.

Sophie Trowbridge

Sophie is a recent graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with a degree in Animal Science.  She comes to us with a diverse animal background including, research, husbandry, rehabilitation, outreach, and veterinary experiences. Some of her most relevant work includes an externship at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife in Sanibel, FL, and her animal keeper internship  at the Central Park Zoo. Sophie plans to become a veterinarian and intends to start vet school in the fall. Sophie is “looking forward to combining [her] passion for veterinary medicine with educational outreach”. She believes “that successful wildlife rehabilitation and education go hand in hand. The more awareness raised regarding the importance of a diverse ecosystem the more people appreciate how their choices can impact the ecosystem surrounding them”. She is ” excited to take part in this combination of veterinary medicine and outreach and bring [her] passion for science to the cape”.

Marketing/Development Intern

For the first time NMLC has hired a Marketing/Development Intern for the summer. This intern will be helping with our major fundraising events including the Feet Fins & Flippers 5K, the Mermaid Ball, and helping prepare for Spectacle of the Trees. She will also be helping to represent the center at at fairs & festivals, via website blogs, social media, and marketing materials, making sure that you are fully aware of all the great things happening at the National Marine Life Center this summer

Chelsea Clark

Chelsea will be graduating from Bridgewater State University in May with a degree in Communication Studies. She has spent the last semester studying abroad at Bond University in Queensland Australia. Chelsea has been the Producer, Writer, & Host of WBIM the Bridgewater State University radio station, and has experience in audio editing, social media, fundraising, and marketing. She was interested in this particular internship because she loves the ocean and thought it would be a great place to apply her skills. She is looking forward to “learning more about this wonderful organization and being a part of the NMLC team” she is excited to “have the opportunity to expand [her] knowledge of both marketing related jobs and marine animals, which not many internships offer”.

We are so happy to have such enthusiastic young students coming to work and learn with us this summer. Interns play a key role in accomplishing the goals of NMLC during this busy time of year. Please join me in welcoming our 2012 Summer interns!