Welcome Summer 2026 Interns!

Natalie, Bailey, Ines, Julia, Emily, Brooklyn, Carson, Luke, Sarah, Damaris, Angelina, Destiny

Summer is here and we have a wonderful group of new interns taking over our sea turtle hospital! They are bringing a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the organization!

Bailey K: Bailey is one of our lead interns for the summer. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She has previous wildlife rehabilitation experience through internships at the PAWS Wildlife Center and Think Wild.

Natalie B: Hi I’m Natalie, one of the lead interns this summer! I am originally from Chester Springs, PA and graduated last spring from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. I now attend Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine where I am a rising second year veterinary student! I hope to work with aquatic species, primarily marine mammals and sea turtles, as a veterinarian. At home, I work as a veterinary technician at a small animal clinic. I have been a junior intern at KBSTRRC previously in 2020 and 2021 and studied marine biology with a focus in European coral species abroad on Elba Island in 2024. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of sea turtle husbandry and rehabilitation and stepping into a leadership role in a hospital setting! 

Angelina T: Hi, I’m Angelina! I’m originally from Chandler, Arizona, and I just graduated this spring from the University of Arizona with a degree in Natural Resources Conservation Biology. Back home, I work as a veterinary technician, and I also have hands-on experience in stingray husbandry, wildlife rehabilitation, marine mammal care, animal behavior, and public outreach. I am so excited to be here at KBSTRRC to learn more about sea turtle rehabilitation. When I'm not working, I love traveling, scuba diving, keeping up with all things space, and watching movies. My ultimate goal is to get my PhD in Wildlife Disease Ecology so I can one day lead a research team investigating health threats and outbreaks facing marine ecosystems!

Brooklyn S: Hi my name is Brooklyn! I was born and raised in New Hampshire but moved to North Topsail Beach, NC 4 years ago. I attended Barton College for my freshman year on a Division II lacrosse scholarship. I am going to be attending UNCW this fall to pursue a degree in Special Elementary Education. I have always been an ocean girl through and through. That played a big factor in me moving down to North Carolina. Last year I was a junior intern at the KBSTRRC and I loved it. I am so grateful for getting the opportunity to come back and do work as a senior intern this year. As I go to UNCW I hope to be able to continue my work with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital.

Carson B: Hi! My name is Carson, and I’m a rising senior majoring in Marine and Aquatic Biology at Bowling Green State University. I am from Cincinnati, Ohio, and love diving, lab work, watching shows, movies, hanging out with friends, and going to amusement parks! While at home, I work as a seasonal animal care volunteer at the Newport Aquarium. At school, I am the Head Coordinator for the BGSU Marine Lab and am the president of the Scuba Club. During the fall, I enjoy spending my weekends as a scare actor at Cedar Point. I love working with all sorts of marine and aquatic life and have worked with Freshwater Mussels, Coral, Stingrays, Sygnathids, Moray Eels, and tons of aquatic fish species! After graduation, I am open to a wide variety of careers and am interested in continuing my education in grad school. I have always wanted to work with sea turtles and am truly honored to be a part of the KBSTRRC Team this summer!

Damaris A: Hey! My name is Damaris and I am from Charlotte, North Carolina. I completed my Associate's in Arts with a concentration on Humanities and my Associate's in Biological Sciences at Central Piedmont Community College. I will be transferring to the University of North Carolina Wilmington to complete my Bachelor's in Marine Biology with a focus on Conservation for the 2026 Fall semester. I hope to eventually specialize in elasmobranchology, working with sharks and stingrays. I served as a Student Ambassador for the 2024-2025 school year at Central Piedmont and interned at the Department of Social Services in Charlotte, so I am familiar with outreach, but I am excited to gain hands-on experience at the KBSTRRC and look forward to expanding my knowledge and contributing to marine conservation efforts within the field!

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Sarah, Brooklyn, Natalie, Bailey, Emily, Carson, Julia, Ines, Luke, Destiny, Damaris, Angelina

Destiny L: Hey I’m Destiny and I am rising senior at Lees McRae college in North Carolina where I am majoring in wildlife Biology with a specialization in wildlife rehabilitation. In the past I have done rehabilitation work at the May wildlife Rehabilitation center, where I worked with a variety of wild animals. This is my first time working with sea turtles and I am super excited! After college I hope to do more rehabilitation related work and education outreach! In my free time I love to go on hikes, hangout with friends and go to the beach! I am super excited to be at KBSTRRC this summer! 

Emily P: Hello! My name is Emily and I’m from Cary, North Carolina. I’m an incoming sophomore at North Carolina State University, studying Marine Science with a concentration in Biological Oceanography. My interest in the KBSTRRC began when I was 15 and took a tour of the facility. The next summer, I was a Junior Intern and I’m so excited to be back as a Senior Intern this year. I’m especially excited to give tours and release turtles back into the ocean!

Ines S: Hi, my name is Ines. I am originally from France but now live in Canada where I graduated from a bachelor's degree in environmental studies at Concordia University in Montreal. I have first worked as a research assistant for a PhD candidate on the reintroduction of captive bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in the Caatinga Biome in Brazil and later gained experience volunteering at different wildlife rehabilitation centres where I had the opportunity to work with birds, small mammals and sea turtles. I am very excited to intern at the KBSTRRC to learn more about sea turtles amongst a great team of professionals and volunteers. I intend to pursue a masters degree in the coming years, studying the mitigation of anthropogenic pressures on species at risk. I enjoy running, hiking and traveling to new places and learning about different cultures. 

Julia F: Julia is a student at Ohio University majoring in Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Her previous animal experience includes participating in ecological research at the Avian Ecology Lab at Ohio State, and volunteering with the Bobcats of the Shelter Dogs, the Glen Helen Raptor Center, and the SICSA Pet Adoption and Wellness Center. She also brings experience in environmental engineering.

Luke G: Luke is a student at Pitzer College in California. He is working towards a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Analysis. He is also working on a minor in music. Luke brings experience in marine science and environmental education,. He has conducted field research identifying native and invasive ant species at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. He also volunteered to help remove invasive plants and plant native species.

Sarah C: Sarah is a student at the University of Maine studying Marine Science and Earth and Climate Science. She is also working towards a minor in Dance. A previous sea turtle camper at KBSTC, she also was a marine mammal research and education intern with the New England Aquarium. Additionally, Sarah has research experience at the University of Main's Department of Earth and Climate Science and the Aquaculture Research Institute.

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