This summer, fourteen undergraduate students from colleges and universities around the nation completed a 10-week summer intern program at the University of Delaware’s Graduate College of Marine Studies’ Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. The intern program, held every year since 1987, is made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation with additional support from the Department of Energy and UD’s Scholar and Engineering Program.
Last year, Ana I. Dittel, a research scientist in marine biology-biochemistry, took over the helm of the program from oceanographer Jonathan H. Sharp. “I am excited about being director,” says Dittel. “I have the opportunity to interact with outstanding undergraduates from a variety of academic programs who are interested in conducting research in marine science.”
The summer intern program is designed to introduce the students to the wonders of research in the marine sciences. Under the guidance of faculty advisers, each student completes an original research project, which encompasses issues of regional and global concerns. In addition, each student participates in a three-day research and training cruise aboard the University’s 120-foot research vessel, Cape Henlopen.
The cruise emphasizes the real-world considerations of researchers right from the start. Shallow spots near the harbor force Cape Henlopen to leave at high tide. This year, leaving at high tide meant a departure time of 3:00 in the morning — research is not always conducted at a convenient time.
Along with the research cruise, the interns attended weekly seminars designed to introduce them to the breadth of marine research. The intern program ended on August 9th with the students giving an oral presentation of their research findings and writing up their results in the form of a scientific report.
“This summer was the first time I was able to design my own experiment,” says Colleen Butler of Orlando, Florida. “It was a bit stressful at first, when I was trying to learn enough background information so that I could actually design an experiment. Once I had my project up and running, it was exciting to see what patterns I could pull from the data.”
Butler is a junior majoring in biology and ecology at Boston University in Massachusetts. Under the guidance of botanist John Gallagher, she investigated how Phragmites australis, or common reed, is able to invade and dominate area salt marshes.
Although Phragmites is a native invasive species, the Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) is a non-native invasive species. In the Delaware Bay, the Asian shore crab competes for habitat with the native mud crab. Under the guidance of marine biologist Charles Epifanio, Nathan Krueger studied the interactions between the adults of these two species of crabs. A senior from Mount Airy, Maryland, he is majoring in biology and environmental studies at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.
Epifanio also assisted Cheryl Cannon, a native of Lewes, in her study of the Asian shore crab. A senior biology and chemistry major at Delaware State University in Dover, Cannon learned “what was happening in the waters of her home town” as she investigated whether chemicals secreted by the adult crabs encourage larvae to settle in habitats favorable to their development.
Sarah Reedy from Waynesville, Ohio, is a senior majoring in environmental science at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. She worked with marine chemist George Luther to determine the effects of hydrogen sulfide on nutrient concentrations in Torquay Canal and Bald Eagle Creek.
Another project of local significance was that of Stacey Cochiara from New Orleans, Louisiana. Under the guidance of oceanographer Christopher Sommerfield, this senior geology major at Georgia State University in Atlanta examined the mineralogy of sediments from the bottom of the Delaware River estuary to identify their origin.
Studying global climate conditions were Cristin Ashmankas of Sandwich, Massachusetts; Madeline Worsnopp of New York City; and Andrea Kalb of Deptford, New Jersey. Ashmankas is a senior with a double major in physics and marine geophysics at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Under the guidance of oceanographer Andreas Münchow, Ashmankas analyzed the water temperature and salinity data for the past 80 years to determine their effects on the number of icebergs in Baffin Bay. Baffin Bay, located between Greenland and northeastern Canada, is considered to have an effect on world climate.
Worsnopp, a senior at the University of Rochester in New York, and Kalb, a junior at the University of Delaware, are both majoring in environmental science. Under the guidance of oceanographer Katharina Billups, they studied the fossilized shells of one-celled marine organisms called foraminifera. The shells, which are buried in sediments on the ocean floor, contain information that sheds light on past climate conditions. Kalb’s work was being supported by UD’s Science and Engineering program.
A living “creature of the deep” was the focus of Elizabeth Everton's project. She is a senior from Seaford, Delaware, majoring in animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Delaware. Under the guidance of marine biologists Craig Cary and Barbara Campbell, Everton studied bacteria associated with the Pompeii worm — Alvinella pompejana — that lives at hydrothermal vent sites at the bottom of the ocean. Her research was designed to shed light on whether this bacteria enables the Pompeii worm to live in an environment that is typically poisonous to animals.
Darrell Pinckney from Charleston, South Carolina, is a senior biology major at Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania, who also studied bacteria. Working with marine biologist David Kirchman, he studied how salinity affects the relative abundance of aquatic bacteria. Aquatic bacteria play a critical role in determining the amount of carbon dioxide that is present in ocean waters. This compound is necessary for aquatic plant life. His internship is supported by a grant from the Department of Energy.
Another tiny creature of the sea was studied by Katie Palof of Cleveland, Ohio. She is a senior at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, and is majoring in biology with a chemistry minor. Under the guidance of marine biochemist Adam Marsh, she studied the development of Streblospio benedicti — an unusual marine worm that develops in one of two ways — by eating microscopic algae and organic particles or by feeding off its own yolk.
Two students, Elissa Carter, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and Jillian Walker, of Newark, Delaware, studied marine phytoplankton — microscopic plants that play an important role in the ocean’s ability to support life. Carter is a senior majoring in marine science at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. Under the guidance of oceanographer Jonathan Sharp, she studied the effect of nitrate concentration on the amount of carbon and nitrogen that is obtained by phytoplankton.
“I’ve learned so much about marine science in general, but I’ve learned even more about the fields of marine molecular biology and marine chemistry by working with plankton,” says Walker, who is a junior biology major at the University of Delaware. Under the guidance of oceanographer Thomas Church, she studied how iron, a key nutrient, is obtained by marine phytoplankton.
On the opposite end of the food chain from phytoplankton is the Antarctic toothfish. This fishery is coming under increased pressure. Amy Hamilton, of Marshall, Virginia — a senior majoring in biology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia — studied three populations of the Antarctic toothfish nder the guidance of marine biologist Patrick Gaffney. Populations that are genetically different must be managed separately, so Hamilton’s work will help in devising management strategies for the toothfish fishery.
“For 10 weeks this past summer, I had the opportunity to live with future researchers, scientists, and teachers,” says Cristin Ashmankas, whose career goals include conducting research and increasing public awareness of science. “It was a unique experience to work and live with people who are as dedicated to the sciences and their education as I am.”