Like most students during summer break, Eli Kemp rushed from his hometown of Conway, AR to the coast; however, Kemp will be doing more than just splashing in the waves this summer. Kemp, a senior biology major, is completing marine biology classes through the University of West Alabama while studying at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL).
This isn’t his first time working at DISL either. Last summer Kemp completed a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) that opened the door for more research opportunities in the area, and when this opportunity presented itself Kemp was ready.
“I learned about these programs last summer when I was doing my REU at DISL; my mentor was teaching a class and I would go out with that class to collect samples for my research.”
Having plenty of past experience of completing applications, Kemp had no issue pursuing this opportunity.
“It was pretty easy to apply, I just reached out to a liaison at UWA and expressed my interest in the classes. From there it was just paperwork,” Kemp said.
Kemp will be taking two different classes during his time at Dauphin Island Sea Lab this summer: Shark and Ray Biology and Marine Behavioral Ecology.
“For Shark and Ray Biology, we'll learn about some common field techniques used by shark researchers and how to identify local sharks,” Kemp said. “Marine Behavioral Ecology will look at how animal behavior is impacted by/interacts with the environment.”
Kemp explained that, due to the nature of the classes, on top of having normal coursework to complete, participants will also have the chance to get out on the water and get their hands dirty doing field work.
Getting out on the water may seem intimidating to some, but Kemp emphasized the importance of his time studying at Lyon College and how that has helped him prepare for this opportunity.
“Being able to do so much field work with our professors gives me practical experience, but it also encourages me to go outside my comfort zone and try new things.”
In addition to exciting new fieldwork and research techniques, Kemp said he was equally as excited to have the chance to network and potentially create lifelong career connections.
Kemp plans to continue pursuing a career in marine biology and hopes that the connections and experiences from his time studying at DISL will aid him after he graduates from Lyon College.