Summer of Discovery: Gaining Experience Through Summer Science Internships and Research
For a group of environmental science students and one biology student, learning extended beyond the classroom this summer. Through hands-on internships, research experiences, and a fellowship, they worked alongside scientists and industry professionals to apply their knowledge to real-world environmental and biological challenges. These opportunities not only strengthened College of Coastal Georgia students’ academic skills but also provided valuable insight into potential career paths, demonstrating the impact of experiential learning on student success.
Corals in the Capital
Sara Whittier, a senior majoring in environmental science with concentrations in natural sciences and geology, spent her summer conducting research in the nation’s capital. The Suwanee, Georgia, native came to Coastal for its affordability and strong environmental science program.
Whittier participated in the Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) program in Washington, D.C. NHRE is a 10-week summer internship hosted by the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution. Students are paired with two mentors in a department aligned with their interests, such as anthropology, botany, entomology, mineral sciences, or paleobiology, to complete a research project. In addition to conducting research, Whittier toured museum collections, attended lectures by postdoctoral candidates, and gained an inside look at the cutting-edge research taking place at the museum.
Her project focused on the effects of amino acids on coral reefs. Whittier explained that coral reefs support 25% of all marine life but are increasingly threatened by disturbances such as ocean acidification. Her research examined whether naturally occurring amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, influence the structure and strength of coral skeletons. By analyzing coral samples from different locations and depths using specialized imaging and testing techniques, she sought to determine how these chemical compounds may affect a coral’s ability to withstand environmental stress and remain resilient in changing ocean conditions.
“What I loved most about this internship was how I was exposed to all the departments from entomology to anthropology,” Whittier said. “I am still figuring out my career path, and being exposed to different fields helped me narrow my career path.”
The experience reaffirmed her desire for fieldwork, and although she is still exploring specific career options, she has developed a strong interest in geobiology and wetlands ecology.
Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution, Brittany Hance.
Whittier said the research will continue as additional testing is completed, and she hopes the team will eventually publish the study.
She also encourages students to pursue Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) opportunities.
“They usually provide food, housing, and sometimes help with transportation costs and logistics,” she said. “You are exposed to real-time research. It helps you network which can lead to future opportunities. I felt after one week at my REU that I had already learned so much and I still had nine weeks left.”
During her internship, Whittier stayed at Shenkman Hall, a residence hall on the campus of George Washington University. She also attended local events and visited museums throughout her stay. Whittier said spending the summer in the nation’s capital was an unforgettable experience.
“Working at the Smithsonian was a great experience. I got to walk out of the Mineral Science Department and be surrounded by all types of natural history,” she said. “The behind-the-scenes tours were amazing, and we got to talk with the experts.”
Whittier advises students to apply for internships and research experiences even if they doubt they will be selected.
“I didn’t think I would get the Smithsonian REU. My roommate, Anya who was studying pelican spiders, also didn’t think that she was going to get it,” she said. “By taking the time to apply, I think it helped change our career paths for the better.”
Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution, Brittany Hance
REU opportunities are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Rethinking the Future
Maxwell Milton is majoring in biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences. Before graduating in December, Milton can now say he completed a summer fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, an undergraduate experience that not every aspiring physician has the opportunity to pursue.
A military child, Milton has lived in many places across the United States and overseas. He originally attended the College because he was living in Brunswick at the time and found Coastal both accessible and affordable. His goal is to become a physician-scientist through a medical or doctoral program.
Milton’s research fellowship was through the STAR Program (Student Training and Research), which provides hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students interested in pursuing doctoral degrees in biomedical sciences, nursing, or biostatistics. Participants conduct research under the guidance of an Augusta University faculty member and their research team. Milton learned about the program through Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Dantera Tangpisuthipongsa, who previously participated in the program in 2008 and spoke highly of his experience.
Milton worked in the lab of Assistant Professor Dr. Justice Abais-Battad in the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. The fellowship spanned 10 weeks, and he stayed in an on-campus apartment complex, with most housing costs covered.
“I had the opportunity to dive into the ongoing research of the lab and assist in the experiments of multiple Ph.D. students, doctoral fellows, and principal investigators,” Milton said. “Additionally, I had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to an ongoing abstract, in which I analyzed microbiome data from transgenic rats that harbored the ‘SRY transgene.’”
Milton’s research project explored whether certain biological traits are influenced more by genetics or by reproductive development. Using specially bred rats with female chromosomes (XX) that developed male reproductive organs and physical characteristics, he compared them with typical male and female rats. By studying differences in the animals’ microbiomes, the communities of microorganisms living in and on the body, he sought to better understand whether these traits are more closely linked to chromosome makeup or biological sex.
The abstract Milton assisted with was submitted for presentation at an American Heart Association conference. He is still awaiting news regarding the submission and hopes it will be presented at a conference and eventually published.
Milton applied to the program to gain firsthand experience in a research environment and determine whether he wanted to pursue additional education after Coastal. He said the experience provided valuable insight into his future plans.
“Previous to the experience, I had no perspective on what it meant to be actively doing real research—outside of what I see in the media and what I hear in classes,” he said. “I went into this program with no expectations, and part of me was doing it to check a box for my med school applications. However, the experience has inspired me to rethink my path and to put more emphasis on involving myself in more research opportunities in the future.”
Milton’s favorite part of the experience was listening to conversations among scientists throughout the department as researchers discussed discoveries and ongoing projects.
“Every week, a Ph.D. student or postdoc would share their ongoing research in a seminar, where faculty and students could diligently question and probe them. This opened my eyes to a new level of scientific understanding I had never witnessed in person, and I was truly humbled by the proficiency in which the students spoke about their respective topics,” Milton said. “Additionally, it was interesting watching the students think on their feet as they answered complex and nuanced questions by the various faculty—many of whom were experts in the field.”
Like Whittier, Milton encourages students to take advantage of opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.
“My dad also told me that when you are 50-50 on a decision, envision what you could miss out on if you say no, and to never let fear hold you back on a ‘maybe’ that could be life-changing,” he said. “Despite having many uncertainties about the experience, I jumped into the deep end, and it was truly an illuminating experience for me.”
Down In the Delta
Tai Valenzuela is a junior majoring in environmental science with a concentration in geology. Originally from Ocala, Florida, she has lived in Georgia for five years. Valenzuela transferred to Coastal Georgia during her sophomore year to be closer to home but quickly fell in love with the environmental science program. She aspires to pursue a career in soil biogeochemistry and microbial ecology.
“It’s such a new and developing field with so many different opportunities,” she said. “Not only that, but I really love getting my hands dirty and playing in the mud.”
That passion made her summer REU with the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative (MissDelta) a perfect fit.
The Birdsfoot Delta at the mouth of the Mississippi River is a vital economic and environmental resource, supporting communities, wildlife, and more than $400 million in daily commerce. However, the region is rapidly losing land due to erosion, subsidence, and rising sea levels, putting people, ecosystems, and transportation networks at risk. To better understand these changes, the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative (MissDelta) was launched as a five-year, $22 million research effort funded by the Gulf Research Program. Bringing together 38 experts from 14 institutions, the initiative aims to help communities, industry leaders, and government agencies prepare for the delta’s changing future through science-based research and planning.
Valenzuela previously completed a service-learning project with Associate Professor Dr. Tracy Quirk of Louisiana State University, a MissDelta partner, and learned about the program through her.
“I really loved working with Tracy. She and Dr. Robin McLachlan (associate professor of geology at Coastal) really encouraged me to continue working with MissDelta. I applied on their website and was one of six that got into the program,” Valenzuela said. “In the scope of my study, I focused on the bulk density and organic matter content of the soil of the beneficial use sites in the Mississippi River Delta in comparison to the natural marsh sites.”
Valenzuela was flown to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she spent 10 weeks conducting research. She primarily worked in Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area and the Delta National Wildlife Refuge in the Mississippi River Delta.
“I got a lot of hands-on experience collecting and processing my data. Not only that, I learned a lot about grad school and what it would be like to go to grad school,” she said. “I was fully in charge of my project. I had to find a research gap, find sites that fit within the scope of my study, plan and execute field work days, be flexible with natural disruptions, and process and interpret my data. I really loved all the connections I made during this trip. From friends to mentors, I built a lot of strong relationships this summer.”
The project is ongoing and is expected to be published in the future. Valenzuela will present her research at upcoming conferences and has already completed a scientific report of which she is very proud.
Her experience helped her determine which field she wants to pursue as a career. Her advice to students is simple: do not be afraid to apply for opportunities or cold-email programs that interest you.
“Reaching out is the best thing you can do,” she said. “Rejection isn’t the end of the world.”
Into the Forest
Sophomore Haley Marion, originally from Gwinnett County, is majoring in environmental science with a concentration in natural sciences. One the main reasons she came to Coastal Georgia was the affordability, but she was also interested in the environmental science program.
Although she has just begun her sophomore year, Marion has already gained hands-on experience that is sure to set her up for future success.
“Being at a smaller college has given me the opportunity to get more hands-on experience and build relationships with my professors. The Georgia coast also provides so many different environments nearby to study, from marshes and wetlands to forests,” Marion said.
Marion is interested in pursuing a career in forestry. She enjoys working outdoors and combining science with interpersonal relationships. In her future career, she hopes to build strong relationships with landowners and help them achieve their goals for their property.
“I also work with a carpenter at home, and seeing him create what a homeowner wants has shown me how rewarding it can be to provide a service that is both practical and personal,” Marion said. “I would like to have a similar relationship with landowners—helping them reach their goals while also being a good steward of their property.”
Marion spent the month of July at Brosnan Forest in South Carolina, focusing on field-based vegetation and wetland data collection. Her internship supported Norfolk Southern Railway Company’s mitigation banking project, and Brosnan Forest is owned and managed by Norfolk Southern. The 14,400-acre ecological preserve is located near Dorchester, South Carolina, in the Lowcountry coastal plain region. During the internship, Marion learned about the work required to collect reliable field data, including establishing and following sampling protocols, identifying plant species, recording data consistently, and verifying data accuracy.
Marion found the internship through Auburn University’s forestry career board. She was intrigued by the opportunity and believed it would provide valuable experience. Marion entered the internship with limited knowledge of wetlands and left with a much deeper understanding of the ecosystem, including how vegetation can vary significantly depending on location and environmental conditions.
“Because Brosnan Forest is in a remote location, the company provided dorms on the property for the interns,” she said. “Norfolk Southern took great care of us and opened its amenities to the interns as if we were their guests. Having the opportunity to live on the property made the experience even more immersive because we were able to spend so much time in the environment we were studying in.”
Spending time outdoors and observing how the forest changed from day to day was one of Marion’s favorite parts of the internship. She was fascinated by how the environment varied depending on where she was working and what she was observing. She also enjoyed sharing moments of excitement with her coworker whenever they spotted an interesting bird, snake, or insect.
“The internship definitely affirmed that I want to work with the land and help whoever is responsible for it and be a good steward of their property,” she said. “It showed me that I enjoy the combination of working outdoors, understanding the environment, and working with people to accomplish their goals.”
When Marion interviewed for the internship, she was told that the program had previously accepted interns only from Auburn University or Clemson University. She encourages students to take a chance on opportunities even if they do not meet every qualification.
“I took the internship as an opportunity to prove myself and to show that students from other schools can also bring something valuable to these experiences,” she said. “I believe that getting experience outside of the classroom is one of the best ways to figure out what you actually enjoy. I also think it is important to be willing to try things that’s outside your comfort zone. You might not have all of the knowledge going into an opportunity, but that is why you are there: to learn.”
Now that she is back at the College, Marion plans to continue pursuing research opportunities. One of her current projects focuses on creating a collection of plant reproductive structures from different types of plants, including conifers and flowering species.
“The goals is to create a resource that can be used by students in future biology and environmental science courses,” she said. “I hope that future students will be able to add to the collection and continue building on the work.”
Wild About Tunicates
An encounter at a conference led to a valuable research experience for junior Hannah Harrison. Harrison is majoring in environmental science with concentrations in marine science and sustainability, policy, and management. The Brunswick native came to Coastal also for its affordability and proximity to home, but stayed because of the small-college atmosphere and the relationships she built with her professors and advisors.
Harrison participated in the Making Waves REU at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, Florida. She first learned about the opportunity through the NSF Education and Training Application website, a database of REU opportunities, but met the program coordinator in December 2025 when she presented at the American Geophysical Union conference in New Orleans. The coordinator learned about Harrison’s summer research on tunicate ecology and encouraged her to apply for the Making Waves REU to work in the Dishaw Lab, located in the USF Morsani College of Medicine.
Tunicates are marine invertebrates. Professor Dr. Larry Dishaw uses tunicates as a model organism to study environmental effects on gut health.
“He uses this model because tunicates are the most closely related invertebrate to humans, and they basically have a miniature, simplified version of our own gut system,” Harrison said. “We specifically worked to develop a method of isolating microplastics for in vitro experimentation. Then, we used this method to look at how microplastics affect the gut system.”
During her REU, Harrison stayed on campus in a residence hall and participated in numerous site visits throughout the 10-week program. She toured the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Science Center, and other research facilities. Harrison also participated in a daylong research cruise aboard the F.G. Walton Smith Research Vessel.
“The entire experience was really formative for me in pretty much every aspect of my life—even, or maybe especially, outside of academics. That’s what stood out to me about the program I think,” Harrison said. “We were exposed to so many different career paths and experiences, so my view of environmental science broadened a lot. I don’t think I had a favorite experience. Every day at the REU offered me a challenge or perspective that I’m still carrying with me today. I am pretty partial to the cruise though. It solidified my love for field work!”
Harrison’s research project has been completed, and the team is now working on a manuscript for publication. She will also have the opportunity to present her research findings at the Aquatic Sciences Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in February.
She advises students interested in applying for an REU to simply go for it and take advantage of networking opportunities.
“And leverage any and all experience you have on your résumé and CV (curriculum vitae). You never know what random class or skill or life experience can get you in the door!” she said. “I had absolutely no real biology background and somehow worked in a medical research lab for a summer just because I happen to love tunicates!”
She also encourages students who find an REU posted on the NSF Education and Training Application website to check whether the university or institution has its own application and apply directly to the program as well.
Harrison hopes to pursue a career in environmental research with a people-first focus. She believes some environmental research has lacked a human-centered perspective that helps engage broader audiences and generate interest in environmental issues. Her ideal career would combine her two passions: people and policy.
A Benefit for Everyone
Professor of Biology Dr. Holly Nance shared that students who complete these types of research and internship experiences return with greater confidence.
“They’re more focused on what they want to do once they graduate, and they are much more competitive graduate school applicants. I wish all of our students could gain this experience, but the programs are very selective,” Nance said.
Associate Professor of Environmental Science Dr. James Deemy believes that students who participate in these programs not only advance their own careers but also strengthen their academic program as a whole.
“Sending our environmental science majors to REU’s this summer has had a profound impact on our program because it made these types of experiences seem more concrete and more achievable to many students considering such internships for next summer,” Deemy said. “The experience for each individual student is career-changing, but collectively, the effects of having five students participate in NSF REU’s during a single summer will be program-changing for us.”
These experiences highlight the growing opportunities available to Coastal Georgia students beyond the classroom. From coral reefs and wetlands to forests and biomedical laboratories, these students demonstrated that curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to take a chance can open doors to transformative experiences. They’ve returned to campus with more than just research findings and new skills. They brought fresh perspectives, stronger professional networks, and inspiration for the next generation of students to follow in their footsteps.
Other students who participated in summer science REUs are:
Jae Clery: Georgia Tech School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences REU
Ryan Blanks: Bridge to Research in Marine Sciences REU at Savannah State University