Marine Biology

BY CHANTELLE FARIA

What is Marine Biology?

Marine biology, the study of life in the ocean, explores all forms of ocean life, from larger organisms like sharks and whales to microscopic organisms like plants, plankton, and bacteria.

What do Marine biologists do?

Marine biologists perform a multitude of tasks The type of work that a marine biologist completes on a daily basis depends heavily on their preferred stream There are many types of marine biologists. Field biologists, for example, do fun, labor-intensive work. They oversee the collection of environmental samples, and they spend most of their time on boats in the middle of the open ocean or tromping through the mud in coastal regions. Some marine biologists, like research biologists, spend most of their time performing research in laborites; they can be found studying DNA samples or other chemical analyses. Marine biology technicians spend most of their time on computers building models to study patterns of the aquatic creatures and predicting how populations of animals are changing Marine biologists that work in aquariums often oversee animal training and husbandry or study marine animals’ behaviors Lastly, some marine biologists work in offices at government or nonprofit agencies contributing to conservation policies or writing research grants Thus, the field of marine biology offers a lot of flexibility, and no matter the role, a marine biologist can be confident that they are improving the ocean ' s ecosystem.

What important skills do Marine biologists possess?

Some skills that are beneficial to a marine biologist to thrive in the field include:

Thinking out of the box and channeling a unique perspective

A strong interest and love for the ocean and marine life

Problem-solving skills to unfold challenges

Strong desire for research

“What a good day to be proud of all the progress you ’ ve made.” It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the things I’ve yet to accomplish, or dwell on my weaknesses It’s important to refocus my energy on where I’ve been successful and how I’ve grown

Ashley Reaume is a current Ph D candidate at the University of Central Florida, where she studies plankton communities (the microscopic life in the water) and how they respond to changes in water quality Through her research, she is testing new organism identification methods like DNA metabarcoding and large-scale taxonomic identification of environmental samples, in hopes of improving the way that we study plankton communities. The prevailing DNA sequencing technologies involve identifying animal species present in the water, rather than using traditional methods like microscopy, which entails using microscopes to view samples and smaller objects not visible to the naked human eye. All of these methods allow for effective and precise results, which helps her to generate more data about more species

The Florida Keys are known for their rich corral reef, attracting tourist for diving and snoorkeling. It is home to many sea creatures and allows for the perfect environment for marine research The Florida Keys have made a major impact on Reaume’s professional journey While she was visiting her grandmother when she was younger, she was intrigued by marine life “I fell in love with the oceans, but I also watched the small communities of the Florida Keys grow into sprawling hubs for tourism and recreation ” This experience sparked her interest in human impact on marine life She felt “compelled to do something to protect the ocean life I loved and learned that as a marine biologist, I could be involved in conservation.”

Despite Reaume’s interest in marine biology, she never considered it a viable option for herself. She did not live near an ocean, nor did she know many people in this field. It was not until she started her undergraduate education at Central Michigan University as a general biology major, where she gained experience in marine biology through internships and volunteer work, that she recognized that marine biology was a great fit for her: “I realized I really could become a marine biologist, and [I saw] how many career paths there were in the field ”

One of her favorite research opportunities was one that she pursued during her aquatic research internship at Disney World. There, she had assisted with animal behavior and welfare research. The research she did was used to “immediately improve the lives of aquarium animals, and it was cool to watch.” Today, Reaume continues her research which was made possible by support from the Florida Sea Grant Program Her research involves using molecular tools like DNA sequencing to answer questions about ecosystems She describes it as, “Marine Molecular ecology ”

Getting to where she is now has not been easy for her “As a first generation college student, navigating the academic world has been challenging both professionally and personally,” Reaume explains She has had to learn how to succeed in college courses, network for career development, and learn about academia largely on her own While she was the first in her family to attend college, she had a strong support system that encouraged her to keep going and make her dream a reality. Her family has always been her biggest inspiration and have always been so supportive throughout the process. Her dad has a strong work ethic and despite not going to college himself, navigating the academic world felt like a team effort. Her mother’s creativity enabled her to think outside of the box and make her a great researcher. A strong support system is not the only thing needed to pursue a degree. One of the biggest struggles of college students all over the United States is finances. College can pose a major financial burden to many. Raeume was no different, she admitted that pursuing this field is difficult financially. However, with the help of her encouraging academic mentors who supported her through the college process and informed her of paid internship opportunities, reviewed applications, and wrote her letters of recommendation

Marine Biology is more than a career; it is her passion “To me, being a marine biologist means doing research that can have an impact on our understanding and conservation of marine ecosystems ” While she doesn’t have a favorite type of marine species, she loves large creatures like sharks, turtles, and dolphins She’s also fascinated by plankton “They are so diverse and are the backbone of marine and aquatic life,” she says.

A grad student and a marine Biologist, Raeume does it all! While she often does find herself juggling her various responsibilities, she makes time for the tasks she finds most enjoyable, like reading and writing. Most of her days involve lab work, data analysis, collecting field samples, “No two days are the same in grad school,” she says. She also works as a teaching assistant for undergraduate studies at the university, a job that she explains has been flexible enough that it has enabled her to explore other interests, build new skills, and perform research that will help her guide conservation efforts

Reaume has varied interests and hasn’t settled on a dream job just yet, but she is certain that she has a passion for conservation management and science communication and is developing technical lab and data analysis skills “We’ll see where this takes me in the future!”

Interested in Marine Biology but don’t know where to start? Ashley

Reaume’s advice for getting started!

Where to start for anyone currently interested in marine biology?

It’s important to get hands-on experience with research Reach out to your undergraduate professors about volunteer positions in their labs and seek out paid internship positions through programs like the NSF REU. Make connections with the faculty at your university; they will help you explore your interests and find opportunities for career development.

What level of education do you need to join this field?

Typically, you will need at least a bachelor's degree. Graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels will open more doors for management roles and academic positions.

What classes should students take in high school?

It’s helpful to have a strong background in STEM classes like biology, chemistry, physics, math, and programming. However, don’t feel like you can’t take any fun electives! Other skills like writing, communication, or even art and design can help you be a more creative and effective scientist

Advice for students in this field?

Don’t be afraid to try something new! There are so many different types of research in this field, and you never know what you might like until you try.