Meet Our Previous Interns!
2026
Gabby Bicher
West Chester University
Biology - Concentrations in Ecology
Conservation and Marine Science
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
The most eye opening, resume building experience. We learned SO incredibly much it was invaluable. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? I learned so much about myself as corny as that sounds. I really got to critique my work ethic, learned flexibility, and problem solving. I gained so much confidence both in the field, and in my own skills and abilities. How well did the internship align with your career goals? I wanted an internship that exposed me to different things and this internship surely did that. I loved learning aquariums especially, as that is a difficult skill to gain. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? Yes, I think it was the busiest, but most fun, educational experience. I’m so incredibly grateful for the friends I made, the things I learned, and the little ways I changed throughout this experience. Where was your favorite place to eat out? PICO, I miss those tater tots. What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? THIS IS SO HARD!! I love burrfish. |
Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you?
Every day was incredibly different and that was the most valuable part. For me, maybe the dolphin necropsy because it’s such a once in a lifetime experience. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? Majority of your life is work due to living on campus and being around the students even on your breaks but work is also so much fun and my coworkers were so awesome I really didn’t mind it. Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field? Yes, I had no idea where I really wanted to go with my career, this solidified my love for environmental education. What was your favorite memory from this summer? Meeting up with all our friends for bioluminescence at Queen Sound. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The beach!! Usually the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge sometimes NASA beach for shells. |
Grace Marine
University of Maine
Marine Science, Marine Biology Concentration
Climate Science Minor
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
SO AMAZING! I had the most fun meeting new people and gaining awesome experience in the field! What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? I think the hands on experience in the field was definitely super valuable, and a lot of fun! How well did the internship align with your career goals? Super well! As a marine science major the research side as well as the hands-on side of this internship align super well with my future career aspirations. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not?Yes! It was so much fun and I gained so many resume building experiences! It was an amazing experience and I loved meeting everyone! Where was your favorite place to eat out? PICO!!!! What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Baby burrfish and sea horses! |
Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you?
I loved going to the stranding center and seeing the sea turtles there! It was such an awesome opportunity! How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? The work life balance was definitely work heavy since we worked most of the day and lived there. But it was always a lot of fun and even when doing work we had a great time! Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field? Yes! This experience made me even more excited for my career in this field! What was your favorite memory from this summer? Our sunset dip at the beach! Also all the funny things that happened doing absolutely anything. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The beach!!! |
Hope Malocsay
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Environmental and Forestry
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
Great first internship experience. I really enjoyed having a mix of different tasks, fieldwork, research, and working with students. It was also a great opportunity to meet people in the field and build my professional network. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? I gained more confidence in myself and my abilities. I was given more independence throughout the internship while still having guidance and support when I needed it. This helped me become more comfortable taking initiative and trusting myself in new situations. How well did the internship align with your career goals? While I am not planning to pursue marine biology specifically, this internship was very helpful for my career goals because it provided such a wide range of experiences. Keke and Drew made an effort to tailor opportunities to our individual interests and gave us chances to learn and gain experience in areas we wanted to explore. Designing my own research project was also a great first step toward pursuing independent research. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? Yes! I would definitely recommend it. It provides a great combination of fieldwork, research, leadership, and professional development, while also giving interns the opportunity to explore the area and meet people with similar interests. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Island Creamery and Cosa Pizza What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? The eastern spadefoot toad! Finding my first one was definitely one of my favorite moments of the summer. |
Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you?
Working with Dr. Delis on his snake board project was especially valuable to me. He is a herpetologist at Shippensburg University, and I was able to tag along and help with his ongoing research in the area. It gave me additional hands-on experience with reptiles and helped me learn more about the type of research I am interested in pursuing. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? I thought the work-life balance was good. Even though the internship kept me busy, I still had time to explore the area, spend time with other coworkers, and enjoy my free time outside of work. Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field? Yes. I really enjoyed working at a biological field station and being around university students and researchers. The experience reinforced my interest in continuing to work in research and field-based biology, particularly in a university or field-station setting. What was your favorite memory from this summer? There are too many to choose from! Some of my favorites were going to Wallops Beach for the first time and seeing all of the shells, finding my first eastern spadefoot toad, getting to work with Dr. Delis on his snake research, and going out on a boat with the U&R staff. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? Wallops Recreational Beach |
Corbin Teeters
Kutztown University
Geology Major
Marine Science Minor
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
I would describe this position as a very valuable experience with a diverse workload that offers you valuable skills in Environmental, Marine Science, and Geoscience careers. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? I learned the importance of being flexible. I learned that in a field such as Marine Science, one must be able to make quick decisions and problem solve well in order to exceed. How well did the internship align with your career goals? This internship aligned very well with my career goals. I want to pursue a career in academia so being exposed to all kinds of disciplines and designing my own research project, really have set me up for the future in my professional life. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not?Absolutely! I would recommend this position to anyone who enjoys field work and field research. This position is very field and research oriented, so someone who enjoys both of these things would thrive in this position. Where was your favorite place to eat out? My favorite place to eat out was Ocean Deli. Both its proximity to campus and its diverse menu made it a top tier choice in my books. |
Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you?
Just being able to work with classes and professors in my field of interest proved VERY valuable throughout this position. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? The work life balance was very well-balanced. At most times the "work" did not even seem like work. The tasks were often adventuresome and I had a great group of coworkers to make those adventures awesome. Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field? Absolutely! What was your favorite memory from this summer? Volleyball nights in the college quad. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? Either Island Creamery or Wallops Island. What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle and the HUGE sheepshead from the boat. |
2025
Rachel Pitt
Binghamton University
Biological Sciences
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
Imagine your life is split into four quarters: a quarter for research, a quarter for RA duties, a quarter for helping on field trips, and a quarter for program maintenance. Depending on the week, you'll be doing more or less of each, but it's always eventful. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? The ins and outs of how a field station operates. There's an incredible amount of behind the scenes work needed to facilitate research and classes that have directly transferable hard and soft skills to my future goals. How well did the internship align with your career goals? I intend to go into research that has both field and lab components, so this internship gave me highly relevant and valuable skills to pursue that goal. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? A million times yes. If you are interested in research, field work, marine or coastal sciences, this is one of the greatest things you could ever do. Every morning and afternoon of every day and week was a new experience with the most amazing people. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Lily's!!! Best tacos!! What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? #1 was finding two Chuck Will's Widow chicks on the refuge, but then it's a million way tie between everything else! Check out my iNat!! |
Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you?
The fieldwork I did as an intern was most impactful because it introduced me to a diverse array of fields and techniques. From snake hunting on Assateague to mark recapture studies, every day was another skill to develop and learn from. How would you describe the work-life balance during your internship? I'd say its a 24/7 grind in the best way possible. You wake up, eat, work, eat, work, eat, sometimes work, and sleep. But you do all of this with the most amazing wonderful team that are all as passionate so it never truly feels like you're working. Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field? Ohhh yes it did! Beyond the immersion, being able to chat with professors and students who are passionate and motivated is a truly special experience that is hard to find elsewhere. I always knew I loved field research, but my experience reinforced that. What was your favorite memory from this summer? A tie between playing volleyball with the professors, doing field work for my research project, those late-night lab work grinds, and swimming in the marsh mud at Greenbackville. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The refuge! I loved to take walks and look for mushrooms! |
Kellie Button
East Stroudsburg University
Marine Science
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
Incredible, really. It was less about sitting back and observing and more about actively testing ideas, troubleshooting in real-time, and experiencing science beyond the classroom. Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? The daily cleaning tasks. There was something surprisingly fulfilling about returning from a full day in the field and taking the time to clean — whether it was kayaks, vans, or the lobby tanks. It gave me a real sense of pride in the work I was part of. How well did the internship align with your career goals? The internship acted as a stepping stone for a smooth transition into grad school. The critical thinking skills and collaboration I learned while at CBFS have served me well so far. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? One word: duh! You form friendships and connections with many amazing individuals, and the hands-on experience is invaluable. |
What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here?
How teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail shape real-world marine research. From fieldwork to daily tasks, I saw how every part of the work contributes to the understanding and protection of these ecosystems. How would you describe the work-life balance during your internship? I would barely call it work. Each day was a new adventure with something new to learn. The team made every moment truly magical. Even Disney could not beat it. What was your favorite memory from this summer? Seeing the gorgeous sunrise at Wallops Island beach on the base was incredible. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Pico's! The peach habanero salsa was divine. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? Queen's sound. The sunsets at the dock were magnificent. What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Cownose Rays! |
2024
Brandon Fanus
Shippensburg University
Biology, concentration in Ecology and
Environmental Conservation
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
Interning at the field station an amazing experience to expand my knowledge in marine sciences, network with others, and conduct research. But it also led to great memories and friends that I'll have for the rest of my life, I wish I could go back! Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? Designing and conducting our own research project was a valuable experience, letting me develop the skills I learned from doing undergraduate research. There was something new to learn every day while assisting with college courses and being in the field. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? Just how important it is to network, develop friendships within out outside of your field, and to use the support that use connections brings to you. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? You have to be prepared to work occasional weekends and have a full schedule throughout the week. But I found it to be very balanced and it’s hard to complain you're at such a great location. How well did the internship align with your career goals? As a biology major with an interest in zoology and working hands on with wildlife, this internship was a great fit. It also allowed me to learn about closely related fields that I am not as directly interested in, like marine geology and oceanography. |
Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field?
I was already confident that pursuing a career in wildlife biology was the career I wanted. But doing field work all summer, getting hands on with local wildlife only reinforced that passion. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? I would highly recommend this internship to any interested students. The variety of courses you assist with, the professors and contacts you make, and experiences the CBFS provides made it an exceptional experience. What was your favorite memory from this summer? Going kayaking and being able to hear professors lecture about the surrounding ecosystem was always one of my favorite activities. I'll never forget the day I found a Native American arrowhead on the beach, which was sent to a member of the Smithsonian. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Lily's Little Mexico food truck, I could eat there every day. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The lounge just to hang out with friends, the beach, and bookstores on the island. What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? It was always fun to capture snakes for research project, but there's nothing like getting to hold a wild skate or watching a dogfish swim between your legs. |
Dakota Baxter
Millersville University
Environmental Earth and Ocean Science
Physical Oceanography
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
The most unique, hands-on, and fun experience I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of. The amount of connections you make will create countless memories and friends from all different backgrounds. Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? I always enjoyed the boat trips and getting out on the water (especially the ODU Chesapeake Bay field trip for Field Methods), but traveling to wallops island was always so much fun as well. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? There is so much I have learned from this experience, it’s hard to choose just one valuable thing, however, I will say that I learned that you have to be flexible to whatever the day throws at you because there was never a day identical to the other. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? It was extremely balanced, so much so that even when I was working it felt as though I was going on another adventure with my friends. How well did the internship align with your career goals? It aligned greatly with my field goals because it reinforced my love for field work, but also have open opportunities with different nonprofits and government organizations that I could have a career with. |
Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field?
Absolutely. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? Absolutely, there was so much to take away from this experience with how much you learn just by being around the different professors and staff members. If I could do this experience again I would. What was your favorite memory from this summer? The S’mores and Shores events or just going to the beach with friends after work/class. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Either Pico or Ropewalk for dinner and Mr. Whippy’s for desert (still better than Island Creamery). Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The beach, the pier by the Sundial Book Store, Atlantic Shoals, and Queens Sound What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Burrfish, Sea Horse, or Ctenophores |
Rose von Eckartsberg
Stony Brook University
Marine Science
Ecosystems and Human Impacts
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
The best thing you will ever do. You will learn a lot and meet a lot of amazing people. The hands on aspect is the best part, there was not a single boring day. Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? Any of the trips where we trawled. It was so cool to see all the different organisms living below us. I think the best part was seeing how the species changed throughout the summer. We got to see the ecosystem changing in real time. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? Be patient with yourself. I went through a lot of speed bumps while doing my project, but I learned a lot from each one. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? The work life balance was perfect. There is a stereotype of the overworked intern but that was not my case at all. The work you do is fun so it doesn't even feel like a job. How well did the internship align with your career goals? I want to be a marine ecology researcher and this opportunity allowed me to ask scientific questions and create my own experiment. It allowed me to work with a habitat that I have not worked with before and let me expand my horizons. |
Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field?
Absolutely. I did my project on grass shrimp which was an organism I didn't think much about before this. Due to that project I found a new passion for prey movements and how they affect the overall ecosystem. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? 100% yes. This experience was amazing and an insane amount of fun. You will make great friends and meet amazing people that are all interested in the same things. It is truly a unique place. What was your favorite memory from this summer? Finding a dogfish with Brandon and Ashley was a moment I will never forget. They swam inches away from our legs, it was amazing. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Lily's! The veggie burrito is the best veggie burrito I have ever had. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Sea Robin |
