As a university student with a passion for marine sciences, I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at University of California, Santa Cruz. I have experience in both field and lab work, and recently completed a 2-month internship at the South African Shark Conservancy in Hermanus, South Africa. Responsibilities included tagging sharks, documenting shark behavior, monitoring water quality, lab manager duties, and providing educational tours.
I have previously contributed to marine field research in Baja, California in Mexico, and participated in coral restoration and replanting in the Florida Keys. I have also been a lab assistant at the Coastal Science Campus at U.C. Santa Cruz, working on animal husbandry for axolotl salamanders and California side-blotched lizards. I additionally have experience as a docent at Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory.
As a SCUBA diver, I have Open Water certification through PADI. Through NAUI, I have Advanced and Rescue Diver certifications. I am a 3 year member of the UCSC Scuba Diving Club and volunteer as a T.A. for basic SCUBA classes. I will be completing my Scientific Diving certification in 2020.
Through all of these experiences, I have been able to develop flexibility, networking skills, a strong work ethic, and a passion for marine sciences that will continue to grow with me as I pursue my career.
Laura Schofield
Marine Scientist
Contact:
laura.schofield.e(@)gmail.com
Address:
1156 High St
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
USA
EXPERIENCE
2019
Internship
South African Shark Conservancy
Tagging sharks, and documenting shark behavior. Fieldwork included monitoring the water of estuaries, hand-lining, long-lining, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. Acting as lab manager, field manager, and giving educational tours.
2013-2019
SCUBA Certifications
NAUI and PADI
Originally open water certified through PADI in 2013, recertified through PADI in 2015. Advanced certified through NAUI in 2018, Rescue and teaching assistant certified in 2019.
2018
Natural History Course on the Sea of Cortez
Natural History Course on the Sea of Cortes
Developing an understanding of the ecology of Marine Vertebrates and the Natural History of Baja California. Located in the fishing village of Bahia de Los Angeles, an International biosphere reserve.
2018
Lab Assistant
Animal Husbandry
Taking part of Herpetology research about thermal preferences by providing animal husbandry for Axolotl salamanders and California side-blotched lizards at the Coastal Science Campus of U.C. Santa Cruz
2016
Docent
Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory
Educator at aquarium displays. Explaining loggerhead turtles, manatees, sea otters, many coral reef vertebrates, lifecycles of the seas, and coral catsharks to the public. Dissuading fears and misconceptions about sharks.
2015
Florida Keys Coral restoration project
Florida Keys Coral Restoration Project
Learning the fastest ways to make corals grow. Tending to open water on-site coral nurseries. Securing corals for transport to different reefs. Planting corals onto new reefs while diving in the Florida Keys
EDUCATION
2021-Onward
Graduate Degree
HIGHER EDUCATION
I am planning to work towards Masters and Ph.D. with a focus on Predatory Marine Vertebrates or Ecology of the Marine Environments.
2017-2021
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY
Currently set to graduate at UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology. Active in the college SCUBA Club and in the labs at the Coastal Science Campus.
2014-2017
High School Diploma
HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated with a scholar-athlete award, certificate of biliteracy, letter in Varsity swimming and academic excellence award.
VOLUNTEERING
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Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida
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Florida Keys Coral Restoration Project, Summarland Key, Florida
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Women's Resource Center, Sarasota, Florida
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Girls on the Run, Napa County, California
SKILLS
SCUBA - Advanced and Rescue
Presentations - Advanced
Animal Husbandry - Proficient
Art - Advanced
English - Mother Tongue
Spanish - Proficient
EXPERTISE and PROJECTS
Ecology and Evolution
UC Santa Cruz operates marine Biology degrees through the department of ecology and evolutionary biology. All classes are taught with ecology and evolution in mind. I have taken Ecology of the Oceans, Ecology, Evolutionary biology, Physiology, Developmental Biology, Molecular biology, and Behavioral ecology classes.
Laboratory skills
Through my time taking Biotechnology classes, I have learned sterile technique, cloned African violets, and genetically engineered E.coli bacteria to fluoresce under UV light with a deep-sea jellyfish DNA. I have taken a laboratory companion to the quantum mechanics class at UC Santa Cruz. I am able to use micropipettes, bunsen burners, electronic scales, DNA electrophoresis, centrifuges, and pipets. This class also participated in the UC Davis biotech program and I created a website about specific types of marine biomimicry, in 2017 through American Canyon HS - Hawkins.
Click the button below to view it.
Art and Visual Media
I have experience with watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils, charcoal, pen, ink, graphite, chalk, oil pastel, colored pens, and mixed media. My drawing style is very illustrative. I also have some experience in photography with landscapes, animals, and plants. I have taken underwater photography classes and can take pictures while SCUBA diving.