A group of nine students who will be sophomores and juniors this fall participated in UMES’ Research Experience for Undergraduates in Marine and Estuarine Sciences.  The interns represented institutions from Maine to California. The paid interns spent the summer, May 31-August 6, conducting research projects with the guidance of UMES faculty and graduate students.

This summer’s projects included biological and ecological studies of fish, invertebrates and microbes, as well as more applied research on desalinization of sea water and antifouling technology.

In addition to laboratory and field research activities, students also visited Maryland Coastal Bays, Pocomoke State Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. 

Summer marine science interns were also schooled on scientific ethics, library resources for research, experimental design and data analysis and scientific writing and communication.  They presented end-of-program research findings to their peers and mentors at a joint symposium with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program and the Geosciences Bridge Program.  This year, the symposium used a hybrid format with interns present, but all other attendees joining online. In addition to maintaining pandemic safety, this allowed interns from more distant locations to invite family and friends to join the audience.

Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.

Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications photographer/videographer, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, tdudek@umes.edu. 

UMES' REU interns in the Marine and Estuarine Science Program, from left, are Lauryn Howell, Robyn Walker-Spencer, Kiah Matthews, Martin Murphy, Calli Crawford, Neema Primos, Carley Bishop, Porsha Reynolds and Morgan Powell.