Coral Restoration URE (Islamorada): Dr. Anne Giesecke Water Resources Preservation Internship
Internship Mentors: Lucas Skay and Blake Terry
The Dr. Anne Giesecke Water Resources Preservation Undergraduate Research Experience Intern will join the Islamorada Coral Restoration team. Mote’s Coral Restoration Program focuses on large-scale propagation of corals in a land-based nursery to support ongoing research and restoration. Most of the work conducted by interns at the land-based coral culture facility involves daily coral husbandry (handling coral fragments to remove algae and other fouling organisms) and basic aquaculture maintenance duties (cleaning tanks and seawater systems). However, duties may also include hands-on propagation of corals using Mote’s “micro-fragmentation” technique, and assisting with experiments aimed at improving propagation methods. Depending on the time of year and the participants experience with prior fieldwork, participants may have the opportunity to assist staff with transplanting corals to restoration sites during outplanting efforts, or observe staff during monitoring of previously outplanted corals.
In the URE application form, applicants should select Restoration (Islamorada) as the first program choice. Applications are due February 15th, 2026.
This internship has been established by Dr. Anne Giesecke (Women Divers Hall of Fame) and Dr. Dan Steffen in memory of Anne’s colleague and friend, Dr. Eugenie Clark (Women Divers Hall of Fame). As members of WDHOF’s inaugural class, both Dr. Giesecke and Dr. Clark deeply valued its dual mission: to recognize the extraordinary achievements of women in diving and to foster the next generation through scholarships and support. This endowment honors their legacy and is a tribute to the shared commitment of WDHOF and Mote Marine Laboratory to ocean research, education, and preservation.
