2020 NOAA Fisheries Scholars and Interns

NOAA Fisheries hosts scholars and interns in our science centers and regional offices around the country. View other intern cohorts.

Katie Blessing

School: California State University (CSU), Long Beach

Degree: B.S. Marine Biology

Why did you choose this field?
I chose this field because I am passionate about supporting marine life and fishermen alike.

Internship/Scholarship Program: COAST Summer Student Internship Program

Position Title: COAST Student Intern - Abalone Conservation

NMFS Office and Program: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Protected Resources Division

Describe your internship and associated projects.
I am an intern under a partnership with NOAA Fisheries and CSU Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology (COAST) where I am currently working on a variety of projects having to do with abalone conservation. These include tasks such as developing and organizing an informal status review for green and pink abalone, creating education and outreach materials for the Black Abalone Recovery Plan, and creating a database for characterizing white abalone habitat.

Why did you choose this position?
I chose this position because I was interested in what the process is to promote the conservation of a species.

What has been your favorite internship project and how has it made an impact?
My favorite project has been working alongside NOAA staff and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in order to obtain/organize qualitative and quantitative data for the informal status review of green and pink abalone. This has allowed me to understand the many workings parts behind how different species are categorized.

What is the most unexpected/challenging thing you have learned?
The most unexpected thing that I have learned is how many moving parts there are behind conservation efforts. I truly did not know how many people and how much work it takes to conserve a single species!

What is the most personally rewarding part of this experience?
The most rewarding aspect of this internship is being able to see my work having an actual impact on the conservation of abalone.

Who are important heroes and/or mentors in your life?
Every mentor that I have had in internships or jobs in the past has touched me in some way or another. In addition, my dad has always supported me and rooted for me when it comes to pursuing my passion for marine science.

Elissa Connolly-Randazzo

School: Portland State University

Degree: M.S. in Environmental Science and Management

Why did you choose this field? 
To aid scientific research by translating data and applying the conclusive information into policies in order to better conserve and use natural resources.

Internship/Scholarship Program: The Pathways Program

Position Title: Student Trainee

NMFS Office and Program: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Protected Resources Division

Describe your internship and associated projects.
I will be reviewing the data and reports submitted from agencies and consulting companies statewide. With this information, I will confirm if they followed procedures in compliance with NMFS policy when actions or impacts are being made within eelgrass habitats. Eelgrass harbors many marine species at different life stages and provides sediment stability.

Why did you choose this position?
The project aligns with my thesis work which focuses on the threshold impacts the invasive European green crabs have on eelgrass habitats.

What has been your favorite internship project and how has it made an impact?
So far, the most rewarding part has been translating the jargon of science for others to more easily comprehend information.

What is the most unexpected/challenging thing you have learned?
How to handle a professional setting within my own home! The global pandemic has altered many norms and I have learned how I can better adapt to unpredictable challenges and changes.

What is the most personally rewarding part of this experience?
Gaining professional experience and improving my professional writing skills.

Who are important heroes and/or mentors in your life?
Captain Planet and Dr. Sylvia Earle. Both aim to share knowledge about the environment for everyone.

Mary Griffith

School: Western Michigan University

Degree: Geochemistry

Why did you choose this field?
Since I was young, I have always been interested in natural sciences and the way the world and nature works. When I entered college, I was enrolled in an introductory geology course that described Earth's system and cycles. I was amazed at all the ways the abiotic world affected the biotic world, and I decided to change my major from biology to geochemistry. In the future, I would like to continue to use my knowledge of geochemistry to conserve Earth's resources and species.

Internship/Scholarship Program: NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

Position Title: Hollings Intern

NMFS Office and Program: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Communications and External Affairs

Describe your internship and associated projects.
I am working with Alicia Keefe to design a project-based learning unit to teach middle school students about the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) and the issues that threaten their survival. The purpose of the unit is to help middle schoolers understand the cultural, economic, and environmental importance of this population and inspire students to become SRKW stewards in their homes, schools, and communities.

Why did you choose this position?
I wanted to strengthen my scientific communication and outreach skills. Science is a passion of mine, and while I love to conduct research, I believe it is important that I learn how to effectively communicate my findings so that it benefits the general public.

What has been your favorite internship project and how has it made an impact?
My favorite part of the internship was creating a multimedia slideshow that would kick-start our middle school unit. This allowed me to creatively address the issues of SRKW. I also had the chance to speak with middle school educators to learn what I could improve, and it allowed me to cultivate my communication skills and knowledge of SRKW.

What is the most unexpected/challenging thing you have learned?
This summer I had to learn how to navigate a virtual internship due to COVID-19. At first, I was worried that I would miss out on networking and relationships that I would have gained in an office environment. However, I found that there are many virtual networking opportunities, and I was able to make connections and complete a meaningful project.

What is the most personally rewarding part of this experience?
The most rewarding part of this experience was the one-on-one meetings I had with my mentor and others in the region. I was able to learn so much about NOAA as an agency and all the important work that is being done.

Who are important heroes and/or mentors in your life?
A mentor in my life that encouraged me to become a scientist was my first grade science teacher, Mrs. Hickson. She took so much time and care to describe complex natural processes in ways that were both exciting and easy to understand. I'll never forget some of those lessons I learned as she took our class on hikes and field trips. I hope to one day inspire other children to be inspired by STEM and to care for all living beings.

Monica Keim

School: Alaska Pacific University

Degree: Marine and Environmental Science

Why did you choose this field?
Salmon connect many different people and many different ecosystems.

Internship/Scholarship Program: José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program (EPP)

Position Title: EPP/MSI Student Intern

NMFS Office and Program: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Protected Resources Division

Describe your internship and associated projects.
Summer Project Title: "Why is it hard to measure salmon recovery?" I was tasked with addressing challenges in measuring salmon recovery, focused primarily on projects funded by the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF).

Why did you choose this position?
To explore how salmon restoration is connected with policy and management.

What has been your favorite internship project and how has it made an impact?
This internship was just 8 weeks long and was virtual. I teleworked from Anchorage, AK where I live. Although I had just one central focus for my internship project, I was able to incorporate a speed-talk on the Eklutna River dam removal (a local salmon habitat restoration project) that was funded by the PCSRF. This was a fun way to practice presenting virtually while incorporating a project here in Alaska that was still relevant to the internship project overall!

What is the most unexpected/challenging thing you have learned?
I used my Google Calendar more for allowing my mentors to see my progress and for telling myself to take a break than I did for staying on task. I thought it would be hard to focus while working from home, but I learned that it was harder to sign-off and not overwork myself.

What is the most personally rewarding part of this experience?
My internship office has overwhelmed me with praise for my project presentation. I have plans to present at least twice to additional audiences after the end of my official appointment!

Who are important heroes and/or mentors in your life?
My virtual experience could not have succeeded without the unending support from my internship mentors Jennie Franks and Shivonne Nesbit. Additionally, I am very grateful to study under Dr. Erin Larson at Alaska Pacific University. Through conversation and coursework, Dr. Larson has helped me think forward with intention and to grow academically and professionally. Her guidance continues to foster my skills in developing, carrying out, and communicating research.

Daniel Montoya

School: Humboldt State University

Degree: Fisheries Biology

Why did you choose this field?
I have enjoyed fishing since a young age. Once I found out science can intersect with fisheries, my choice was made very apparent.

Internship/Scholarship Program: José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program (EPP)

Position Title: NOAA EPP/MSI Class of 2020 Scholar

NMFS Office and Program: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Communications and External Affairs Branch

Describe your internship and associated projects.
I was tasked with reaching out to west coast Federally-recognized tribes in order to gain contacts for a communications directory. This directory will be used by the Communications and External Affairs team to educate the public on key issues involving tribes.

Why did you choose this position?
To strengthen my communication skills as well as become familiar with NOAA’s tribal relationships.

What has been your favorite internship project and how has it made an impact?
This is my first internship project but it has made a profound impact on my future career. I was able to attend various meetings and network with employees which allowed me to clearly define my career and educational goals.

What is the most unexpected/challenging thing you have learned?
The project may not always go the way you want but you have to just be persistent and continue on.

What is the most personally rewarding part of this experience?
Creating an excellent relationship with my mentor.

Who are important heroes and/or mentors in your life?
Amilee Wilson who was my mentor this summer.

Ana Olsen

School: University of Washington

Degree: Marine Biology and Aquatic Fisheries Sciences

Why did you choose this field?
I have always lived by the ocean, so I couldn’t help but want to pursue a career related to its study. I grew up with an endless fascination with the nearshore, and as I began to learn more about the field in high school, participate in it through volunteer work at the Burke Museum and Seattle Aquarium, explore it through SCUBA diving, discover the issues the ocean faces, and finally begin to grasp my professional interests and goals, I knew that marine science was perfectly suited to me.

Internship/Scholarship Program: Hollings Prep Program

Position Title: Hollings Prep Program Scholar

NMFS Office and Program: NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Policy and Planning Branch

Describe your internship and associated projects.
In my internship, I mostly worked under Galeeb Kachra on populating databases with fishery management-related National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. These databases will be used by the NEPA Coordinators to better advise those working on NEPA documents. I also learned about the strategic planning process with my other mentor, Scott Burkart.

Throughout my internship, I attended webinars and coffee hours related to other divisions in NMFS and developing professionally. This was a great opportunity to ask questions and network. At the end of the internship, I presented what I learned to all the employees and fellow interns I had worked with throughout the six weeks.

Why did you choose this position?
I come from an education and research background. As I began to consider my professional career in government, I knew learning about policy and the big picture of how NOAA Fisheries functions and divisions interact would be very valuable to me, since it wasn't something I could learn at school.

What has been your favorite internship project and how has it made an impact?
My favorite part of my project was trying to compare the three types of fishery management NEPA documents I looked at—hatcheries, habitat, and harvest—for my final project to try and come up with advice for improvements to the documents. I started out with little to no knowledge on NEPA and policy, so having the chance to summarize all that I'd learned and then know that it would be a useful tool for the NEPA Coordinators and potentially progress NEPA across the WCR was very exciting and rewarding. I also know that I will be able to use what I learned to impact my school and local community by sharing more about the NEPA process and ways they can get involved.

What is the most unexpected/challenging thing you have learned?
I definitely got an appreciation for how difficult it is to write NEPA documents and make decisions about resources. I know all that I learned about these processes and some modern issues that are being solved right now will help me to be a better informed and thoughtful consumer of information and decision-maker myself.

What is the most personally rewarding part of this experience?
I feel genuinely fulfilled after this experience. Because of how people in the WCR reacted to my questions and gave advice, I felt comfortable developing my professional communication skills in a way I wouldn't have before this internship. I know that what I learned and the impressions the WCR left on me will definitely shape how I interact in academic and professional settings in a profoundly positive way.

Who are important heroes and/or mentors in your life?
My grandparents are a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. Without them and my parents supporting my interest in marine science when I was younger, I probably wouldn't have ended up at this internship. Both of my mentors in this internship, Galeeb Kachra and Scott Burkart, provided me with an extremely supportive introduction to the professional sphere of marine science. And as I'm sure many others have felt, Sylvia Earle continues to be a constant hero because of her amazing story of ocean exploration and conservation.