Belize: Jessica Randall
Program: CEIBA Foundation Coral Reef Ecology, Summer
Jessica’s Major: Biology
What is the moment you are most proud of?
I am most proud of how successful my research project was. During the semester, our group of four decided to pursue a more complicated topic that required a lot of materials and time. We weren’t 100% sure our methods would work out on the remote island, but we were able to adapt to challenges and successfully complete our research! And best of all, we produced statistically significant results, showing there is a significant difference in the
number of microplastics per mL between organisms and their surroundings in Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, a remote island off the coast of Belize.
Being able to create and conduct my own research project is an experience I will remember forever.
Describe your fieldwork and how the experience helped advance your studies.
Conducting novel research on a remote coral reef island in Belize has been an eye-opening and amazing experience. Our small research group investigated the accumulation of microplastics in organisms and their surrounding environment within a conservation zone in Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve. Microplastics – which are plastics less than 5mm – pose an invisible threat to marine life and humans ourselves. When completing our two-week project, we produced bittersweet results, revealing a statistically significant trend in the accumulation of microplastics on these remote coral reefs. This finding further highlights the profound impact of human activity on marine life and, consequently, ourselves, as these microplastics make their way up trophic levels. Addressing this issue requires a collective effort, and there are several steps we can take. Yes, a beach cleanup every once in a while can make a little dent, but we have to stop the problem at the source. By refraining from using plastic water bottles, spreading awareness among friends and family about the detrimental effects of plastics, and voting for candidates who prioritize the health of our planet and its inhabitants, we can make a positive impact. Every small change contributes to the larger cause, making it imperative that we act protect our planet and its fragile ecosystems.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
You don’t necessarily need to be pursuing a career in ecology to gain knowledge and skills from this course. I learned so many things and grew a lot as a student. Being able to create and conduct my own research project is an experience I will remember forever. Oh, and bring at least two bottles of bug
spray and don’t bring a lot of socks 🙂