June 17, 2016, by admin

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadets Eva Sandri and Sydney Mills are participating in a 6-week Marine & Environmental Science summer internship at the Sitka Sound Science Center to study kelp beds in Sitka Sound.  Kelp beds are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on Earth and over the last century have been the focus of extensive research, including efforts to better understand the spatial-temporal patterns of kelp patches.  During their internship, Eva and Sydney will expand on work initiated by last year’s cadet interns, monitoring the changes in kelp bed extent alongside variation in hydrographic parameters in the kelp bed water column relevant to changing climate.  This internship was developed by former Scientist-in-Residency Fellow Dr. Lucy Vlietstra, a professor in the Department of Science at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The cadets are provided room and board at the USCG Air Station Sitka during their internship.

Eva Sandri is a summer intern from the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. She is going into her senior year and majoring in Marine Environmental Sciences. She grew up in Silver Spring, MD and has two younger siblings, a turtle named Loompa and a puggle named Strudel. Her hobbies include ice skating, karate, arts and crafts and hiking. She spent the first 5 weeks of summer training sophomore cadets on the sailing vessel Eagle. Eva is very excited to be spending the summer at SSSC!

Sydney Mills is a summer intern from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Sydney is going into her senior year and her love for the ocean and animals inspired her to study Marine and Environmental Science. She grew up in Coral Springs, FL and went to the University of South Florida for her first year of college. In her downtime, Sydney enjoys dancing and crafting. Sydney is very pleased to be given the opportunity to work with the SSSC this summer.