We’re proud to work with all of these wonderful interns who have helped shaped our programs and have learned some valuable skills along the way. If you are interested in applying click here.
What our interns have gotten out of this program. Read for yourself:
“This program has given me the opportunity to observe and contribute to different roles within the organization. I have rotated around different duties including research, technical writing, use of petitions to gain supporters and spread awareness, social media, admin work, and creating materials for public education and outreach.”
“I have built lasting relationships within this program with my mentors and fellow interns.”
“I have acquired new skills and experiences. I contributed to the creation of petitions that will be sent to government officials. I learned how to write articles that appeal to the public.”
“I was able to communicate with well-known shark scientists about their writing, current research, and line of work.”
Intern Wall
2022
 | Jetty Porter, Undergrad Student, University of Miami RSMAS & Intern. Jett (they/them) is from Margate, FL and is currently a sophomore at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science studying for a BS in Biology and Marine Science. They fell in love with studying and protecting sharks at a young age, growing up around the South Florida beaches. This love only grew as they continued to study and volunteer for various conservation organizations throughout high school and college. They have most notably volunteered with shark tagging at both the University of Miami’s SRC and Nova Southeastern University. In their spare time, Jett lifeguards, SCUBA dives and participates in local environmental and social activism. Outputs: Monthly chomps, infographics |
| Taylor Jagolinzer, Undergrad Student, University of Miami RSMAS & Intern. Taylor (they/them or he/him) is a junior at the University of Miami majoring in Marine Science and Biology. He discovered a passion for shark research while interning with the research organization Field School during a gap year. They now study amino acid compound-specific isotope analysis in elasmobranchs under the supervision of staff researcher Dr. Hilary Close, with the hope of developing more accurate methodology to determine feeding ecology and trophic positioning in sharks. He hopes to continue combining his conservation and social advocacy efforts into science communication and policy work in the future. Outputs: Friday Facts, TikToks |
2021
| Mckenna Hardie, B.S. Grad Student, FL Tech, Grad student Jacksonville University. I was born and raised in a small town called Thurmont, Maryland. Before I headed off to Florida for college I got my Open Water and Advanced Open Water Diver certification from PADI. I am currently a senior at Florida Tech where I am majoring in Marine Biology and minoring in Psychology with a focus on animal behavior. I have always adored sharks and all things ocean. I knew I wanted to be a voice for sharks when I realized that most people didn’t see them as beautiful or fascinating, but instead labeled sharks as monstrous people eating machines. I want to use my passion to get people interested in sharks in hopes that they grow to appreciate and love them like I do. Hopefully this love fuels a fire in people to take action in the fight to help sharks. Jacques Cousteau said it best, “People protect what they love”. Outputs: Shark science communications, Monthly Chomps, Petitions, Legislation, Kids Corner, Outreach, Shark Personality Quiz |
| Carly Walker, undergrad student, Seminole State College. What started as a summer interest turned into a lifelong passion. Carly’s been writing notebook after notebook of shark facts and at every opportunity explains their importance in the environment. She’s currently studying marine biology where she will specialize in sharks. Outputs: Shark Science Communications, Shark Quizzes, Friday Facts |
| Sophie Maycock, BSc(Hons) MSc Specialist in Shark Behaviour & Conservation, Ireland. Sophie has been obsessed with sharks since volunteering for a great white ecotourism company in South Africa in 2008. Having completed her degrees at UEA in the UK, Adelaide University in Australia and Leiden University in The Netherlands, Sophie now lives back home in the UK, where she works as a free-lance scientific researcher. She specialises in shark behaviour and conservation, and has a flair for advanced statistical modelling. She is also passionate about communicating science to the general public and joined the Shark Angels in 2021, as a science communication writer. She also volunteers as a science writer for several NGOs and runs her own website, SharkSpeak. Her life goal is to change people’s perceptions about sharks, with the view to gaining public support for shark conservation on a global scale. Outputs: 365 Daily Bites, Shark Facts for social media |
| Jackie Reuder, grad student. Jackie is originally from Medina, Ohio where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Akron. She fell in love with sharks when she did an internship in Mossel Bay, South Africa working with white sharks. She is currently at the end of receiving her Master’s in Marine Biology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida tracking lemon sharks, and is hoping to graduate this August. In her spare time she is an avid diver currently working on becoming an instructor to teach others of the beauty beneath the waves. Outputs: Monthly Chomp, Shark Science Communications |
| Jessica Schieber, grad student, Nova Southeastern University. I am a marine biologist from central Florida and I have an obsession with sharks, my favorite being the mako shark. I went to school in south Florida at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) where I earned my Bachelors degree in marine biology and am finishing my Masters in marine science with a concentration in marine fisheries. I currently study the age and growth of the yellow stingray (Urobatis jamaicensis) in south Florida. I have been cage diving with white sharks and cannot wait to do it again! As a passionate shark lover and researcher, I am ecstatic to join Shark Angels and promote awareness and conservation of sharks! Outputs: Mako Shark Science Article |
| Caroline Lynam, Postgrad student, Marine Biologist, Ireland. Growing up by the sea in Dublin, Ireland I have always been fascinated by marine life. Having completed my undergraduate in Marine biology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, I am now coming to the end of my Masters programme down at the University of Exeter, Cornwall, England. My interests lie in understanding the spatial and social ecology of sharks, understanding where they are and why. I am passionate about marine conservation and it is my life ambition to share my love for sharks with others and to dedicate my research to better understanding and protecting them. I am an advocate for celebrating all the amazing elasmobranch species we have in Irish and British waters (which is surprisingly a lot). I am an avid diver and cannot wait to get out diving with sharks. My current research is looking for evidence of non-random associations between white sharks off the coast of South Africa. I am delighted to be joining the Shark Angels team and can’t wait to share my passion for sharks and inspire more people to love these amazing animals. Outputs: Basking Shark Science Communication Article |