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.
