Duration of Internship: June 2024 – September 2024

Qualifications

BSc Marine Biology, University of Plymouth (2022 – 2025)

Over the course of a 3-month summer internship with MER, Ethan worked on various projects such as WFD, marine litter projects and marine toxicology research. The majority of Ethan’s internship occurred on MER Papa, learning about many different fieldwork sampling techniques and boat skills. This project took him around most of the south of Cyprus, up to Paphos in the west and Paralimni in the east.

In the field, Ethan learned new skills he hadn’t yet encountered, such as zooplankton nets, CTD sampling at various depths, Van Veen sediment grabs and using an integrated water sampler at 30m and 100m. Furthermore, Ethan also participated in collecting macrofauna and physiochemical samples by using the hydraulic crane out in the field. In the MER lab, Ethan improved his sample sorting skills by aiding with macrofauna sampling and marine litter sorting, and he also aided in turtle intestine dissection. In the MER office, Ethan helped with research for his co-worker’s projects and helped create social media posts; he also helped present a new project that the MER team has in the pipeline about implementing better monitoring of a local SPAMI site.

Ethan’s personal statement: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement at MER; it was an amazing opportunity to learn new skills I can use in the future. It has given me a sense of direction for advancing my marine career and helped me understand what I would like to specialise in further down the line. Cyprus is a beautiful country to visit, and it was made even better by the team at MER, who made me feel incredibly welcome.”