Students contribute to science and conservation through summer internships
Ohio University biological sciences students engage in diverse summer research and internship experiences, showcasing their contributions to marine science, professional dog training and marine ecosystem surveys.
Bella Moyers-Chavez, '26 | September 4, 2024
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Ohio University students have spent their summer break making significant strides in their fields through various research and internship opportunities. Grace Vance, Caden Beegan and Faith Pape each embarked on projects that not only enhanced their professional skills but also contributed to broader scientific and conservation efforts.
From studying hydrodynamic perception in seals to advancing dog training techniques and supporting marine ecosystem restoration, these experiences reflect the students' dedication to their disciplines and their commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Exploring hydrodynamic perception
Grace Vance is majoring in marine, freshwater and environmental studies in the Department of Biological Sciences. Vance had an internship over the summer funded through German Academic Exchange Service’s Research Internships for Science and Engineering (DAAD RISE).
Throughout this internship, Vance participated in a project that explored hydrodynamic perception using vibrissae (whiskers) in otariids (eared seals). Her advisor was Ph.D. student Jasmina Gebert who is part of the Sensory and Cognitive Ecology group at the Marine Science Center located in Rostock, Germany.
Grace Vance poses with the eared seals she studied, examining their vibrissae to understand their hydrodynamic perception.
Grace Vance interacts with eared seals as part of her research, focusing on how their whiskers help them perceive underwater movement.
Gaining knowledge of professional dog training
Caden Beegan is a student in the Honors Tutorial College majoring in biological sciences. During the summer Beegan had the opportunity to intern with Paradigm K9 LLC located in Pataskala, Ohio. The internship was funded by the Bobcat Seed Fund and provided Beegan with the opportunity to attend the month-long dog training shadow program with Paradigm K9 LLC.
Beegan took on this role to fit his career goals of starting his own dog training business in fall 2025. He described the Paradigm K9 team as “the definition of professional quality pet dog training.”
With Beegan’s previous experience of attending several dog training schools, he has confidently said that this was some of the “best education” he has ever received and that he learned valuable skills, knowledge and techniques that will be crucial to his development as a professional trainer.
Caden Beegan with Paradigm K9 LLC’s expert trainers and dogs, gaining hands-on experience in professional dog training techniques.
Caden Beegan walks alongside a dog, learning advanced training methods to prepare for his own future dog training business.
Conducting surveys in marine ecosystems
Faith Pape is part of the OHIO Honors Program studying biological sciences, marine, freshwater, and environmental biology. Pape is active on campus as President of Ohio University’s Scuba Diving Club.
Pape spent the summer interning with Global Reef in Thailand, where she actively contributed to coral restoration effects. Throughout her internship, Pape conducted comprehensive surveys on fish abundance, reef health and crow-of-thorns starfish.
She also planted corals and participated in initiatives to reduce plastic pollution. Looking ahead, Pape hopes to continue to support the preservation and recovery of vital marine ecosystems throughout her career.
Faith Pape surveys coral reefs in Thailand, contributing to critical coral restoration and marine conservation efforts.
Faith Pape encounters marine wildlife while diving in Thailand, part of her extensive work on marine ecosystem health and protection.
Surveying water quality in Ohio's scenic waterways
Junior biological sciences major Jack Zeitzheim got an internship with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, one of 60 chosen out of close to 600 applicants. He worked with the Scenic River Manager and Ecological Analyst at the Northwest Scenic Rivers Division in Findlay Ohio. Working along the Sandusky and Maumee rivers, they surveyed multiple sites and ran stream quality monitoring workshops. He helped train volunteers to work at designated sites, by showing them the basics of macroinvertebrate seining and water quality indicators. He was also able to job shadow multiple positions throughout his internship, including people working in the hatcheries, electroshocking for grass carp, and surveying a local lake for catfish.
