Emma Schmoyer

Biography:

I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals and I especially had natural affinity for marine life. Spending a large chunk of my childhood living in North Carolina where I had access to the ocean deepened this connection and secured my dream to work with marine animals. I started my journey with Mote in August of 2024 as an intern with Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program. Here, I assisted with rescues and recoveries of marine mammals and sea turtles as well as post-mortem examinations and bone maceration. After completing my extended internship with SIP in May 2025, I was hired as a seasonal hatchling technician with the sea turtle rehabilitation hospital. In this role I learned the basics of animal care, life support, and helped with the sea turtle and manatee rehab patients. In November 2025 I was brought on as a full-time staff member which has been a dream come true.