University of Rhode Island

My name is Emma Hughes, a graduate student from Rhode Island. I am in the Environmental Science and Management master's program, where I focus on conservation biology. This summer, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Research and Conservation team at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. It’s been a hands-on and inspiring experience that’s allowed me to explore many aspects of marine science and conservation, particularly in the field of shark research. 
 

I drove down to Georgia in late May to begin my internship and quickly got involved with a variety of projects, both in the field and behind the scenes at the Aquarium. Early on, I was able to travel to coastal Georgia to assist with water sampling for a Sawfish environmental DNA (eDNA) project, which was a great introduction to the local estuary environments. Back at the Aquarium, much of my work has centered around supporting ongoing shark conservation efforts. I’ve helped organize and archive biological tissue samples, assisted with fish necropsies, and analyzed historical shark survey data to investigate trends in species presence, gear impacts, and estuarine habitat use in Southeast Georgia. 
 

One of the most exciting parts of my internship has been monitoring developing zebra shark embryos. This work supports the Aquarium’s involvement in a global initiative focused on recovering threatened shark and ray populations. By tracking embryo development, we contribute valuable data that aids in the conservation and recovery of these species. We use a technique called candling, which allows us to shine a light through the egg case to visualize and assess the development of the embryo inside. It’s been rewarding to help track their progress and better understand their reproductive biology. 
In July, I traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota, to attend the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH), where I presented a research poster on shark species dynamics based on data from Southeast Georgia. It was an amazing experience to be surrounded by professionals and peers in the field, including my lab group from Dr. Wetherbee’s lab at URI and my Georgia Aquarium mentor, Dr. Kady Lyons. I had the chance to meet graduate students and researchers from all over the world and learn about current research. The conference was both motivating and a reminder of why I’m so passionate about this field. 
 

As I wrap up my internship, I’m continuing to assist with the sampling and organization of ongoing conservation projects, and I’ll soon begin shadowing the Aquarium’s marine mammal, fish, and invertebrate husbandry teams to gain more exposure to animal care and aquarium operations. I also plan to participate in R programming workshops to strengthen my data analysis skills. This internship has not only expanded my technical knowledge but has also deepened my appreciation for collaboration and applied conservation work. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and excited to carry what I’ve learned into the next steps of my career.


Check out Emma's gallery below!