An Unexpected Introduction
My journey with NOAA began during freshman year of my undergraduate degree and is only just beginning. After sharing my interest in working with NOAA during a scholarship interview, one of the interviewers connected me with his son, who is a NOAA Commissioned Corps officer based in Newport, Rhode Island, just an hour’s drive from my college campus. This connection not only gave me the opportunity to tour NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow, but also to join one of the scientific surveys as a volunteer in the coming months. I strongly feel that if it were not because of this initial introduction, I may not have had such unforgettable experiences with NOAA Fisheries.
My First Time at Sea
Stepping onto the Henry B. Bigelow for the Spring Ecosystem Monitoring Survey as a volunteer was a huge first for me—I'd never been on anything bigger than a 20-foot boat! With an open mind and few expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome I received by everyone aboard the vessel, including the NOAA Corps officers, scientists, deck hands, and stewards. It was quite the first experience aboard a NOAA vessel with us having a full day of 10-foot waves, systems full of Meclizine, and of course, some seasickness. I said I wanted the full experience of being out at sea, and I sure did receive it!
During this survey, I worked alongside scientists from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the University of Connecticut to collect plankton and water samples from the North Atlantic. Some of the water samples were analyzed for chlorophyll and mercury levels at certain depths and then compared to previous data to track environmental changes. While doing my part as a volunteer, I spent lots of time learning more about the professional and academic journeys of the scientists and NOAA Corps officers aboard the vessel. This helped me get a better understanding of what my skills and experiences could lead me towards. I spent many hours on the bridge and in the lab asking questions like, “What does this screen show?” and “What do you do in ‘x’ situation?” I surely gave the officers and scientists more questions than they expected, but they were more than happy to answer them all. One of my favorite memories is probably the many games of Dutch Blitz we played during our downtime between sampling and then realizing I was playing it wrong the entire time (it's okay to laugh).
Bridging the Gap: My Role in Science Outreach
As a result of my college's generous internship fund program and the NOAA College-Supported Internship Program, I have been able to collaborate with many NOAA Fisheries Southeast employees. This has given me insight into the work that is being done to bring together both scientists and the public. My role in the fisheries efforts is in the science communications realm, with most of my work being geared towards the creation of an ‘outreach toolkit’ that can be used by NOAA Fisheries Southeast employees to share information about what we do and the current state of the environment. I have worked on updating old materials, organizing existing materials into new folders for easy access, and creating handouts and social media posts. While my educational background is heavily focused on the biological sciences, I have appreciated the opportunity to strengthen my science communication skills through the projects I have been involved with.
From the Atlantic to the Gulf
While working with the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, the opportunity arose to jump on another survey—this time to sample groundfish in the Gulf of America. With only having one previous experience aboard a NOAA vessel, I was interested to see how my experience aboard the Oregon II would look. It couldn't have been better. Just like my experience aboard the Henry B. Bigelow, I was welcomed by such a friendly group of individuals. While out on the summer groundfish trawl survey, I learned much more about the processes of fisheries stock assessments and got hands-on experience of identifying and sampling numerous Gulf species. These surveys add to the data that is crucial to the sustainability of fisheries in the Gulf while also leading scientists to a greater understanding of changes in the environment.
I remember the first net we pulled over the ship and how I had no idea what fish we were about to work with or how many there would even be. Though initially overwhelmed by the diverse array of species needing to be sorted, I was guided through the process and taught different ways to identify each fish as well as to learn their scientific names. And of course, I will never forget seeing a new species for the first time—each no less exciting than the one before.
Looking Ahead
My journey with NOAA has just begun, and I'm incredibly excited for the experiences ahead. These opportunities have been significant in my growth, not only as a scientist but also as an individual. The work I've already contributed has been invaluable—deepening my understanding of our oceanic and atmospheric environment and the relationship between humans and our oceans. I'm eager to volunteer for more NOAA Fisheries surveys, further exploring my future contributions to NOAA's mission.
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Meet the Blogger
Michelle Rife
Michelle is an undergraduate biology major at the College of the Holy Cross interning with the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center for the summer of 2025.
