Intern Experience of Catherine Booker

PIMS Intern Report

Catherine Booker

Fall (09/21/04-10/30/04)

To begin, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed my internship with the Perry Institute! It was exactly the kind of experience I needed to help me decide where I am headed next in the marine science world. The facilities, the natural environment, and the staff far exceeded my expectations, but the real advantage was in the opportunity to assist a variety of scientists on a variety of projects and really get a feel for what it is like to work in the field. On Lee Stocking and in the beautiful waters surrounding the island I gained knowledge and skills that could never be taught in a traditional classroom.

I began my internship with my primary interest being in fisheries ecology and conservation, so I was very excited to get the chance to help out Dr. Craig Dahlgren with both his research in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park looking at the "spillover effect" of marine reserves as well as with his research examining the habitat preferences of the commercially-valuable Spiny lobster. Though I only participated in a small part of these much bigger projects, I got a good introduction to how such large scale studies are designed and carried out in the field.

In addition to my exposure to fisheries research, I was also enlightened to the world of Corals by talking with and helping several of the scientists working on the reefs around Lee Stocking Island. I assisted with two projects in particular that differed in priority and scale, but that both taught me a lot about the various methods and techniques used in coral reef research. I now have a much greater appreciation for these habitat-creating organisms and the dire need to protect them.

Overall, my internship with the Perry Institute was time well spent. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in a well-rounded, eye-opening, perspective into the fields of marine science. I wish I could've stayed longer!

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