 |
| Participating in Sea grass surveys. |
Hello. My names is Samantha and I am continuing my undergraduate research at Daytona State College. How I became involved in science began predominately with my interest in the Miami Dolphins. Football fan ---> scientist, weird. Well I should start off by saying I am weird. I was born and raised in New Jersey around obnoxious, Italian, die hard Giants fan, my family(whom I love). My dad however decided to be an outcast and become a Dolphins fan(mainly because he loves Dan Marino). Anyways while my obnoxious family insisted I become a Dolphins fan I urged the argument, "Giants play unfair because they are giant. The dolphins are cute and sweet therefore, fair." Give me a break I was 4. This perception I had for Dolphins along with yearly visits to SeaWorld led me to my future dream of becoming a dolphin trainer. Typical kid stuff right? I was fascinated by the marine life at Sea World especially the mammals. Jumping through rings and splashing around with the alluring grin. Lights flashing and trainers whistling, it seemed as though Marine Mammal training at SeaWorld was the greatest job in the world. Soon after my 19th birthday however I came to find out I did not want to work at Sea World at all. What i failed to realize was that a dolphins' smile is natures greatest deception. No aquarium, no tank, however spacious it may be can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea. My feelings for captivity had changed drastically over the year and that is when my aspiration in becoming a marine mammal trainer came to an end. No longer did I want to engage my time and knowledge presenting alongside of Shamu. I wanted to protect Shamu and every other animal being held in captivity for show. Well, Im not Rick O'Barry. However I do have a great desire in protecting marine organisms as well as the habitat and environment surrounding.
 |
| Chlorophyll Extracts |
In 2013 I moved to Florida and began participating in volunteer opportunities in the area pertaining to promoting and educating others about conserving the marine environment.
I was able to partake in seagrass surveys conducted by Marine Discovery Center which gave me an introduction to water quality and how it can be effected naturally or anthropogenically. Last semester I was able to land a class with Dr. Woodall where who encouraged my science career and helped me achieve what I have today. I began my first undergraduate research project pertaining to the result of Anthropogenic Pollution discharging into Canal Street Canal which is being continued this semester. In the Spring of 2017 I plan to graduate with my AA in Marine Sciences and transfer to hmm well somewhere (although I have colleges in mind I have decided on one specific) focusing on biology and conservation of the marine environment. My goal now and in my future is to be able to educate the public on anthropogenic pollution in the marine environment and find ways to conserve all of the wondrous nature that this planet bestows upon us.
 |
| Seabird in Canal next to floating plastic |
 |
| plastics lying above storm drain that empties in the Canal |
No comments:
Post a Comment