Cabrillo Marine Aquarium -Animal Care & Research InternAt — CSU COAST
Through the CSU COAST Summer Internship Program, The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (CMA) Animal Care and Research Internship offers young adults unique experiences and skills development in the field of animal care, public engagement, conservation, and research. This position is going to work with CMA staff to care for fish and invertebrates and participate in research projects and conservation programs. The intern will also engage with visitors and students visiting CMA.
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A portion of the internship will take place in CMA's Aquatic Nursery, which is the Aquarium’s conservation and research laboratory. One of the Nursery’s principal functions and objectives is to offer a broad audience unique opportunities to explore and interpret research and conservation programs that impact the local systems of southern California. Additionally, the interns will work closely with the Aquarium’s Animal Care team. The Animal Care team is responsible for the day-to-day husbandry and life support of the Aquarium’s collection of southern California marine fish, sharks, eels, octopuses, and other marine invertebrates.
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Tasks:
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Duties include, but are not limited to:
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Animal care including
Preparation of frozen and live foods for exhibit animals;
Feeding and handling of organisms in the lab, including venomous animals;
Cleaning and maintenance of tanks, tank equipment, and animal life support equipment;
Assist with aquatic animal quarantine, treatment, and health procedures;
Participation in research activities that support the CMA Young Scientists Program, White Abalone Captive Breeding Program, and other conservation projects;
Interacting with CMA guests to educate them about the Nursery and animal care;
Assist in marine collections via boat, tidepooling, seine net, and plankton tows;
Conduct independent research under the guidance and direction of a CMA mentor on topics such as aquaculture, water quality, animal diet and enrichments, environmental and ecological assessments, and field survey methods/techniques;
Engage with Aquarium staff and guests on “re-imagining” some of our non-living exhibits through more accessible exhibitory and improved science communication.
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Training:
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- COAST Orientation in week 1
- CMA hands-on orientation in week 1, including husbandry training, aquatic tech training, lab and safety training, etc
- Weekly professional development workshops led by COAST student success specialist, including Scientific Ethics and responsible conduct of research training, emotional and personal health training, and professional etiquette training
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Learning Outcome:
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Skills Gained: Through this internship, the interns will:
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Become proficient in the day-to-day animal care operations of a public aquarium;
Increase their knowledge of aquatic animal care, aquaculture and research techniques, and general lab maintenance;
Learn how to communicate science and research to a diverse public audience;
Develop a thoughtful and organized research project;
Gain experience working in a professional environment;
Develop marine animal and algae collection protocols
Collection skills including boat handling and navigation skills, tidepooling, and various net/trapping techniques.