Veterinary Lab Intern
By Ellie Schofield '24
Alaska SeaLife Center
The Alaska SeaLife Center is a research, rehabilitation, and education facility for populations of marine mammals, fish, birds, and invertebrates located on the homeland of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people in Seward, Alaska.
My time was split between assisting in the lab at the Center, and shadowing the vet team during procedures.
- In the lab, assisted with the processing of blood, fecal, and urine samples; ran weekly water quality samples for the entire facility.
- Shadowed the vet team during blood draws, procedures, and routine exams; assisted during exams, and with note-taking and record keeping.
- Helped me to secure my interest in the pursuit of veterinary medicine; I learned a lot pertaining to veterinary science, both in the lab setting, and also in the clinic.
- I realized that I am interested in birds, in addition to already having been interested in mammals, and that I am also interested in the pursuit of research or a field-based practice.
- I am extremely grateful for the time that my supervisors spent teaching me patiently during my internship, for the vets, who were very friendly and willing to answer questions to help me learn, and to the community that I was welcomed into during my time in Alaska.
Funding provided by the Annual Fund for Career Readiness provided by Mark Porter '81.