Elizabeth Niles has joined SCCF as an intern at the Marine Lab where she will explore the intricacies of marine biology and conservation. Her primary objective is to develop proficiency in analyzing low-nutrient seawater using a continuous segmented flow analyzer.

Niles is currently a third-year undergraduate student at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where she is pursuing a major in Biological Sciences with a concentration in microbiology and a minor in physics.

Her upbringing in the Florida Keys instilled a profound appreciation for the natural world, which has continued to shape her academic and personal pursuits.

“I am excited to familiarize myself with the unique ecosystem of the island, including its diverse marine life and the interplay of physical and biological processes that help sustain it,” she said. “I’m also eager to gain insights from SCCF’s ongoing monitoring and restoration projects, which will provide me with a wealth of practical conservation strategies and techniques to help preserve and restore the local marine ecosystem.”

One of her passions is scuba diving, and to further this interest, she has enrolled in a scientific diving course at FGCU. Through this program, she will obtain a master diver certification, enabling her to combine her scientific pursuits with her love for underwater exploration.

As an honors student, she is committed to going above and beyond. She has dedicated her free time to volunteering, with over 400 hours of service at the end of her second year of college. Elizabeth’s passion for the environment has led her to engage in activities such as beach and water clean-ups, environmental youth education, tortoise habitat and native plant restoration, and seagrass monitoring. 

Niles is incredibly grateful to the Sanibel FlyFishers for funding her internship.