SEZARC offers internships! These are unpaid positions usually for 6-8 weeks, although slightly longer or shorter programs can be arranged. Our interns gain experience in disciplines including hormone monitoring through enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and gamete biology. This opportunity is a unique experience for college-level students to gain experience in conservation science. Veterinary students interested in a SEZARC internship should have a strong interest in research and should be aware that the experience will be lab-focused rather than clinical. Although we cannot offer housing, we do our best to match interns with local colleagues who have rooms available for rent.
Our interns have gone on to pursue veterinary medicine, doctorates, science communications, clinical embryology, and even human medicine. If interested, please send us an email at information@sezarc.com.
SEZARC also supports post-doctoral scientists. Approximately one-third of elasmobranch species are threatened with extinction, and the application of assisted reproductive technologies, such as sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination, could aid in the genetic management of endangered shark and ray species. Our current post-doc, Dr. Annais Muschett-Bonilla, is investigating sperm cryopreservation methodologies for bowmouth guitarfish. Dr. Muschett-Bonilla is also testing non-invasive DNA collection methods using swabs, in collaboration with Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Field Museum, New York Aquarium Wildlife Conservation Association, and Minorities in Shark Sciences. This work supports ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts for elasmobranchs. She is also collaborating with the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group Life History Working Group to gather data from aquaria and fill information gaps about life history characteristics for critically endangered elasmobranch species.