Josie Bliss is studying biology with a focus in evolution at the University of Iowa. She works in the Neiman Lab on campus, studying a species of ploidy-polymorphic aquatic snail called Potamopyrgus antipodarum. Josie will be measuring oyster settlement in the estuary and looking into the efficacy of using vertical oyster gardens in the east end canal system. She will be measuring changes in oyster density, size and estimating filtration rates. She enjoys watching Star Trek, reading comics, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. and is extremely excited to be interning at SCCF this summer!

Ryleigh Mulcahey is studying chemistry and environmental science at the University of Iowa. She’s putting her studies to use as she helps out with a water quality project while interning at the SCCF Marine Lab this summer. Specifically, Ryleigh is conducting a high-resolution water quality study for the Caloosahatchee estuary. She will be sampling 25 sites in June and July to look for patterns in nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton biomass. Her favorite marine animal is an oarfish and her favorite chemical element is either iron or sulfur.