Jumping right into research at BIOS

My name is Kayley You Mak, and I just finished my second year at Barnard College in New York City, where I study biology and mathematical sciences. I am at BIOS working with Dr. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley and studying the coral, Porites astreoides. Continuing the work of summer interns Hannah Reich and Kevin Wong, I am investigating if the growth and survival of juvenile P. astreoides differs between those whose parental colonies came from shallow versus deeper (mesophotic) reefs.

Photo credit: Charlie Veron

We are interested in studying differential growth and survival because of the relationship of larval fitness between depths to the "deep reef refugia hypothesis" (DRH). The DRH postulates that because the effects of climate change and anthropogenic stressors are less severe on deep reefs, they may serve as refuge for corals whose larvae can repopulate shallower reefs following a disturbance event. Our experiment is designed to test if it is possible for gametes from corals on deeper reefs to recruit to and survive on the shallow reef by examining how parental depth affects the growth and survival of juveniles under shallow water conditions, thus indicating variations in fitness.

To measure the growth and survival, I examine tiles that contain our coral spats under a microscope in the lab. I check maps we made of all of the spat and count which are still alive and which have died. A healthy spat looks like the top image, where there is tissue evident. However, not all of our spat are doing so well (the water is very warm right now!), so some no longer have tissue and instead you can only see their skeleton as seen in the lower image.

Live Porites astreoides spat

Porites astreoides skeleton

Using a microscope camera, I take photos of the live spat so that I can calculate the surface area of each one with a computer program. From my size data, I calculate growth rates over time to compare growth rates of spat that came from shallow corals to those that came from mesophotic corals.

Photo credit: Kelvin Santana Rodriguez

It has only been a couple weeks, but jumping right into research at BIOS (I already have my first few data points) with an amazing group of people has been really great. We have bonded at meal times, exploring Bermuda together, and over our shared love of ocean sciences!

Summer Interns Part 4

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) offers internship opportunities to both undergraduate and recent graduate students. Internships may run for 8, 10 or 12 weeks in the summer, with flexible timing and duration. BIOS interns can expect to work in BIOS laboratories with faculty and staff mentors, participating in active research projects of mutual interest. A BIOS intern could have the opportunity to participate in an open-ocean research cruise aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer, SCUBA dive on Bermuda’s coral reefs, learn progressive techniques from scientists at the forefront of their field, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge laboratory equipment, and engage in workshops and seminars with peers and BIOS staff. 

Hanny Rivera

Hanny is a PhD student in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program, linking Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).  For the past 4 years, she has been coming to BIOS to do research on corals. 

1. How did you hear about BIOS, and for how long have you been participating in any BIOS-related program?

I first came to BIOS in 2011 to conduct research for my undergraduate thesis. I studied the survival of coral larvae during that summer and the impact of small herbivores, like snails, on how well the larvae survived and grew. Since then I have come back to BIOS several times (I’m on trip 5) for various research projects, all related to coral. 

2. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS during this trip?

Corals are extremely important animals in the marine environment. They form reefs by creating a skeleton made out of calcium carbonate (limestone) and live in the upper layer of this skeleton, which they secrete throughout their lives. The skeleton forms the basis for the reef and provides shelter and habitat for thousands of species. This summer I have been working on an experiment that looks at how temperature changes affect the coral’s ability to grow. A changing climate and increasing temperatures are expected to be detrimental to coral growth. Some corals, though, may be more sturdy and capable of maintaining good growth rates even under increased temperatures. We can get a sense for which corals are more resistant to temperature by looking at historical growth records of corals through time – corals grow in a way similar to trees such that we can analyze their bands and look back at which corals were growing at normal rates.  My experiment’s purpose was to see just how stressful conditions have to be in order for the growth patterns to be affected.

Emily Avery

Emily is a Neuroscience major at Princeton University, and joins BIOS as this year's Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS) intern.  This summer she is helping in the Waterstart program at BIOS, an educational program geared towards teaching students aged 12-16 SCUBA diving and marine science. 

1. How did you hear about BIOS, and for how long have you been participating in any BIOS-related program?

I heard about BIOS through the Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS), an established summer internship program that gets students involved in nonprofits around the world. This is my first summer here, but there has been a Princeton intern in my position at BIOS for a number of summers.

2. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?

I am interning with JP Skinner in the Waterstart program. The program consists of a series of week-long day camps for students interested in learning more about SCUBA diving, marine science, and anything else concerning the wonderful waters of Bermuda. In a typical week, we teach students about the environmental challenges faced by the ocean and marine life in Bermuda and beyond, how to build and operate rudimentary Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), how to identify numerous vertebrate and invertebrate marine species, and, most excitingly for many students, SCUBA theory and SCUBA diving skills. By the end of the week, the large majority of Waterstart students have been able to expand their SCUBA certification, with most having never had the chance to dive prior to this camp. Most importantly, all students have a whole lot of fun and learn a great deal in the process.

Vivian Yao

Vivian is majoring in Geosciences at Princeton University. This summer she is researching coral reef biogeochemistry as a Volunteer Intern at BIOS.   

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?

Coral reefs are in danger of temperature variations due to global climate change. When the temperature and surrounding environmental conditions change too quickly for the reef population to adjust accordingly, the corals, as well as the plants (cells) that help the corals obtain nutrients and excrete waste begin to stress. Both parties’ growth and development are hindered once environmental precursors sever this relationship. The corals no longer have their plant helpers, and the “zoox” have lost their physical shelter and protection that the corals were providing them in return. Our lab is comparing the stresses between two different coral populations in the Bermudian waters. Bermuda is the ideal place to study this coral and zooxanthellae symbiotic relationship because the reefs are relatively untouched and unscathed by anthropogenic influences.

2. What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?

My primary goals for this summer internship included becoming familiar with different types of labs and lab setups, following a scientific experiment throughout time and space—from collecting the coral samples from the reef to returning them a couple of months later—and receiving a thorough introduction of oceanography and working at an oceanographic institution. I can confidently conclude that these expectations were met after a summer here at BIOS. I can operate well in a wet lab and have learned how to use and interpret various lab instruments. I have explored the quick problem solving and flexibility that is required to run an experiment in the field.

Bess Ruff

Bess Ruff is at the University of California Santa Barbara working towards a Masters in Environmental Science Management and specializing in coastal marine research management and conservation planning. This summer she is working as a Volunteer Intern with Kevin Mayall, Bermuda’s first Nearshore Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Coordinator.

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?

We are conducting a survey of marine stakeholders in Bermuda regarding ocean management in the near-shore ocean environment in Bermuda.  We are trying to get a baseline understanding of how different interest groups look at ocean management in Bermuda and how they might prioritize coastal management objectives.  We are looking to speak with commercial and recreational fisherman, dive and tour operators, shipping and transport authorities, government officials, and recreational ocean users such as members of the general public. 

2. What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?

I have done survey work in the past, but it was always focused on a single interest group, e.g. tourists. Through this internship I have gained greater experience in conducting surveys across multiple interest groups with varying opinions and attitudes. I hope to learn how to consolidate the data we have collected in a way that will inform an effective action plan for the management of Bermuda’s nearshore ocean environment. 

Summer Interns Part 3

Welcome back! Meet six more of our BIOS summer interns!

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) offers internship opportunities to both undergraduate and recent graduate students. Internships may run for 8, 10 or 12 weeks in the summer, with flexible timing and duration. BIOS interns can expect to work in BIOS laboratories with faculty and staff mentors, participating in active research projects of mutual interest. A BIOS intern could have the opportunity to participate in an open-ocean research cruise aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer, SCUBA dive on Bermuda’s coral reefs, learn progressive techniques from scientists at the forefront of their field, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge laboratory equipment, and engage in workshops and seminars with peers and BIOS staff.

Diana Yeh
Diana is a Biology major at Lehigh University, and is visiting BIOS as part of the Lehigh International internship program. This summer she is working with Tim Noyes in research on the mesophotic coral ecosystem.

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?
Our team deploys the Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) that capture footage of the different fish communities that live in the mesophotic zone. For my project, I’m working on finding indicator species for specific habitats and fish communities in various sites all around Bermuda. For now, I’m developing methodology to find the indicator species for the shallow reef habitats, a methodology that will also be applied to research on mesophotic habitats.

2. What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?
Before coming to BIOS, my research experience had been limited to microbiological and bacterial research done at Lehigh University. I came to BIOS because I was looking to gain a more varied research experience, and learn about the research being done at other institutions. At BIOS, I have been able to learn more about marine science research, and gain research experience in marine science.


Takoda Edlund
Takoda is a Marine Science major at Eckerd College, and is the 2015 Eckerd College Galbraith/Wardman Fellow. This summer he is working with Dr. Goodbody-Gringley to determine what the invasive lionfish eat.

 

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?
I am working on determining the feeding ecology of the invasive lionfish here in Bermuda by analyzing lionfish stomach contents. Numerous studies have been done on identifying gut contents of lionfish, but the majority of these studies have relied solely on visual identification of the stomach contents. This only works though when the gut material is relatively undigested. What’s special about our project is that we are using DNA barcoding techniques, which allows us to identify specific species of things such as fish and crustaceans that have already been digested and are unrecognizable to the naked eye. Thus, this study could give us a very accurate picture of the lionfish’s diet.

2. What has your BIOS internship been like?
BIOS has provided me with the opportunity to make invaluable connections and network with fellow scientists and interns. This internship has been an amazing opportunity because it has given me great insight as to what a career in marine science can look like. I’ve also gained a lot of experience in all different aspects of this field, from the dive experience and data collection, to analyzing findings in the lab, and to preparing talks and presenting my research to others. This internship has been unforgettable for me, and I think that it has really helped establish myself as a scientist in the field of marine science.


Alexander Chamolly
Alex is studying Math at University of Cambridge, and is with us this summer as the Cawthorn Cambridge Intern at BIOS. This summer he is interning at BIOS for 3 months under the mentorship Dr. Nick Bates and Dr. Rod Johnson, both BIOS scientists conducting oceanography research.

 

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?
I am working on a computational model of the distribution of temperature, salinity and especially CO2 in a column of ocean water. These properties are affected by weather effects like sunshine, wind and rainfall, but also by geophysical effects like eddies [reverse currents] in the ocean. Researchers at BIOS have conducted cruises in the Atlantic Ocean on collecting such data for over 26 years now, and my goal is to explain the results they got. For example, it will be possible to tell how large the contributions of weather influences on carbon content are compared to advection from the surrounding ocean, a standing problem in Oceanography for 20 years.

2. What did you hope to gain or learn from your internship, and did you achieve this?
I just finished my Bachelor's degree and will soon need to decide about my future career. I've always been strongly considering research, but wanted to gather some experience before making the decision. I am very glad to have the opportunity to participate in the research undertaken here at BIOS, in particular because it is not obviously related to my university studies up to this point. It's giving me a great new perspective and I am more confident that work of this kind is what I'd like to pursue in the future.



Stuart Robertson
Stuart is working towards a Master’s of Science (M.Sc.) in Environmental Management at the University of York. This summer he is working as a Volunteer Intern with Tim Noyes in researching deep coral reef zones using Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) in order to determine where the lionfish live in the deeper waters.

 

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?
Bermuda has a major issue with invasive species in the marine realm. In the marine realm this is predominately the lionfish. The lionfish are threatening the health of the marine ecosystem in Bermuda, and what I’m trying to do, through a combination of field work studies and computer based modeling, is predict where the lionfish are likely to be around the island. The fieldwork that I am doing focuses on the deeper coral reef ecosystems around the edge of the island, which are beyond the reaches of recreational diving. To research this zone, we drop Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) in order to study the habitat and species that these deep reefs contain.

2. Has your time at BIOS changed your thoughts on what you might want to do in the future?
Yes; having worked at BIOS, I learned that in the future I would like to integrate my own research with educational outreach programs. While at BIOS, I learned about BIOS’s educational programs such as the Marine Science Internship (MSI) and Waterstart. There is a connection between the research that goes on at BIOS and the education programs for students in the community, and this has inspired me to combine my research with educational outreach programs for students and the public at large.


Sarah Wu
Sarah is a student at Lehigh University majoring in Biology and English with a concentration in Creative Writing. This summer she is interning under Rachel Parsons, and investigating the effects of ocean acidification, as part of the Lehigh International internship program.

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?
My project aims to aid in the research of ocean acidification by studying some of the differences between the surface water of open ocean and reef waters, specifically the microbial composition. Having a better idea of the differences between open water and reef water systems will allow other scientists to have a clearer idea of the true effects of ocean acidification.

2. Has anything in particular impressed you while you have been at BIOS?
I'm in awe of the atmosphere here at BIOS. This is my first time working at a dedicated research facility, and I love the energy here. So many people here are so passionate about their work that it's hard not to also get excited about what they're doing. It's also really cool to meet, listen, and talk to so many big names in the field of marine biology. It is a humbling experience that makes me realize how lucky I am to be here.


Alyssa Sherry
Alyssa is a graduate student at Arizona State University studying Chemistry and Biochemistry. Alyssa came to BIOS this summer as part of a one-week internship on the R/V Atlantic Explorer, BIOS’s world-class oceanographic research vessel. The R/V Atlantic Explorer is owned and operated by BIOS, in compliance with the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), as a general purpose oceanographic research vessel designed for both short and extended cruises. See more at http://www.bios.edu/ship-ops

 

1. How would you describe the project you have worked on at BIOS?
The ocean around Bermuda draws down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more than in most places. In order to understand why this happens, we took samples of seawater at different depths in a few locations in the Atlantic Ocean surrounding Bermuda for various chemical tests. I've always been interested in how chemistry can be applied to environmental situations. It's one of the reasons that I decided to get a PhD in Chemistry. It was incredible to see this in action on the research vessel.

2. Has your time at BIOS changed your thoughts on what you might want to do in the future?
Absolutely! I’m working on my PhD in Chemistry right now and always knew that I wanted to apply chemistry to the environment. I wasn’t seriously considering a career in ocean sciences until my BIOS internship. I loved working out at sea and can now see myself working as a chemical oceanographer in the future.



Thanks for reading! Stay posted to read more about our interns!