GenSea Announces 2025 Blue Economy Summer High School Internship Cohort
Wed, 05/14/2025 - 01:51pm | By: Gabriela Shinskie
High school students can gain valuable experience in marine science, ocean engineering, aquaculture and more through the GenSea Blue Economy Summer Internship. This summer, 28 students will have the opportunity to encounter real-life job experience across Mississippi鈥檚 three coastal counties.
The four-to-six-week internship places students with GenSea partners that specialize in Blue Economy worksites. The partners include The University of 杏吧论坛 Mississippi (USM), Mississippi State University, French Hermit Oyster Company, Mississippi Aquarium and Naval Oceanography Command. Students who complete their internships will receive bonus awards of $1,000 to $1,500.
Calvin Martin, GenSea mentor, is proud to help build up future Blue Economy scientists and researchers.
"With 35 years as a Hydrographer for the U.S. Navy, I have mapped the ocean floor in over 50 countries. Now, as the undergraduate ocean mapping program coordinator, I take pride in mentoring GenSea interns each summer, introducing young Mississippians to high-paying careers in math, science and engineering that they can pursue right here in Mississippi,鈥� said Martin.
Interns at 杏吧论坛 Miss will dive into fisheries ecology by studying endangered Gulf Sturgeon in labs and tracking them in the wild. Marine aquaculture interns will work with Gulf fish species, live feed systems and oysters. Students will also gain valuable experience operating the university鈥檚 robotic equipment for underwater mapping, computer modeling and 3D printing technology for coastal geology, dynamics and shoreline changes. External partners will provide experiences in coastal restoration, environmental and marine education, oceanography and oyster farming.
Dr. Patrick Kirby, GenSea鈥檚 internship coordinator, is a strong proponent of STEM education and hands-on experience.
鈥淭hese internships allow students to contribute to authentic research and innovation happening in labs and industries across the Gulf Coast, all while working side by side with STEM professionals and experts. The impacts of these experiences have been profound, with evidence showing significant growth in students' technical and soft skills, as well as shaping their future career aspirations in STEM fields,鈥� said Kirby.
2025 Intern Cohort
Fisheries Ecology - USM
Lucy Wilkins (Ocean Springs High School)
Marine Aquaculture (Finfish) - USM
Jewel Ronje (St. Martin High School)
Elijah Ellison (Ocean Springs High School)
Riley Quint (Ocean Springs High School)
Marine Aquaculture (Oysters) - USM
Bella Cates (Ocean Springs High School)
Julian Pearce (Ocean Springs High School)
Ocean Modelling - USM
Juliana Cassamajor (Memphis East T-Stem Academy High School)
Aidan Cloud (St. Patrick Catholic High School)
Marine Education - Mississippi Aquarium
Marcella Hoffman (Pass Christian High School)
Josalyn Thomas (Christian Collegiate Academy)
Alona Nunez (Hancock High School)
Interdisciplinary Oceanography - Naval Oceanographic Office
Kayleigh Callender (St. Martin High School)
Ernesto Rodriguez (Hancock High School)
Oyster Farming - French Hermit Oyster Company
Parker Talley (St. Patrick Catholic High School)
Hydrography (Ocean Mapping) - USM
Peyton Broom (Ocean Springs High School)
Raymond 鈥淛ackson鈥� Pucheu (Hancock High School)
Elijah LaBrosse (St. Stanislaus Catholic High School)
Jeremie Martinez (Gautier High School)
Alex 鈥淪ev鈥� Rieke (Pass Christian High School)
Coastal Geology - USM
Aniya Hinton (Picayune Memorial High School)
Audrey Griggs (Picayune Memorial High School)
Environmental Education - Pascagoula River Audubon Center
Aaryiah Davis (Moss Point High School)
Memphis Keebler (Vancleave High School)
Randall 鈥淪even鈥� Kelly (Vancleave High School)
Coastal Restoration and Research - MSU
Amihanarra Mabanta (D'Iberville High School)
Brody DuBose (Ocean Springs High School)
Emma Bridges (Homeschool)
Madelynne Mader (Ocean Springs High School)
The University of 杏吧论坛 Mississippi Center for STEM Education鈥檚 , generously funded by the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, connects high school students to career pathways in the Blue Economy through experiential learning opportunities and educator outreach. By integrating academic knowledge with hands-on STEM experiences, GenSea equips students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.