Meet our Spring Interns 2023

We have once again welcomed 10 interns from UNC-Wilmington. They will spend their Saturdays learning about turtle care and husbandry as well as  practicing their communication skills by teaching the public about sea turtles.  

Let's meet our interns:

Angelica: St. Peterburg, FL Marine Biology Major (Senior) I have spent 16 years in the military and decided it was time to go back to school and get a degree in something I am passionate about. The ocean and animals have always been that for me so a degree in Marine Biology was perfect. I became a volunteer at the KBSTRRC over a year ago and fell in love with caring for the Sea Turtles. I realized it's something I wanted to pursue in my future so doing an internship working hands on with the turtles just made sense. 

Bryce: I’m currently a senior at UNCW studying biology with minors in chemistry and environmental sciences. I’m from Poolesville Maryland and I’m grateful for this experience working with the KBSTRRC. Sea turtles are my favorite animal and since I was a little kid, I knew that I was going to be involved one day. This internship has allowed me to work hands on with the turtles along with an awesome team that I sincerely cherish.

Ben: My hometown is Calabash, NC. and I am a junior at UNC Wilmington, majoring in Biology and minoring in Neuroscience. Every summer my family would visit Sunset Beach, NC, and that first sparked my interest in turtles as they nested on the island. I am very excited to be interning at KBSTRRC this spring and assisting in the sea turtle conservation effort! 

Lauren: I am from Ellicott City, Maryland! I am currently a junior at UNCW and I am a marine biology major. I'm so excited to be an intern here this semester and expand my knowledge of marine animal care. I hope my experience with this internship helps guide me in my decision of post-grad plans and my future career aspirations!

Eric: Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, I was fortunate enough to have a family boat in the Chesapeake Bay where we spent as many weekends as possible cruising around and enjoying the water and all the wonderful forms of marine life found in the world’s largest estuary. It was during that time that I developed a deep affection for the ocean and aquatic life of all kinds, which ultimately led to me coming to UNC Wilmington to study marine biology. In my time here I was fortunate enough to watch a sea turtle nest hatch, as well as getting a tour of the turtle hospital. Something in me stirred after these events… I knew that I wanted to give back to the ocean in some way, and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center seemed like the perfect way to give back to such beautiful animals in their times of need.

Ian: I'm from Charlotte, NC and currently majoring in Biology at UNCW. I enjoy spending my time outside rock climbing, slack lining, or scuba diving. I grew up in a house filled with a variety of animals which sparked my scientific curiosity. After watching KBSTRRC releases I fell in love and decided to become an intern to be a part of their conservation efforts! 

Emma: I am from Cary, NC. I'm currently a junior at UNCW majoring in oceanography and minoring in marine biology and dance. I hope to work with sea turtles in my career and so this internship offers exciting, hands-on experience. I have absolutely loved the internship thus far and am excited for the rest of the semester!

Hai:  I am from Tay Ninh, Viet Nam. I'm currently a junior at UNCW for Marine Biology major and thinking of minor in digital photography. I plan to further study specifically about turtles and the deep sea after graduation since they are the reason why I am here in a different country, in this major and in this hospital. My dream job would be working on a crew that explore the Antarctic. I am happy to be here this semester. It is like a big check mark on my journey! 

Jenessa: I am from Hickory, North Carolina, and I’m currently a senior at UNCW. I am a marine biology major and a French minor.  I would love to go to vet school in the future, but plan to work for at least a year before I apply to gain more diverse experience! I hope to continue working as a kennel tech and hopefully do more work as a vet assistant this coming year. I’m so grateful to be an intern with KBSTRRC this semester to add to my experience and work with wildlife!
 
Raful:  I am from Clayton, North Carolina, and I am currently a junior at UNCW. I am a marine biology major with a concentration in conservation. I plan on continuing to find and gain experience in this scientific field after I graduate, and hopefully work at a conservation and rehabilitation facility just like this one! I absolutely love sea turtles and am super grateful to be an intern here this semester to help spread awareness for these endangered and beautiful animals!