Bridgid O'Connell

Experience

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  Pope Francis Preparatory School

  Sept 2019 - Mar 2020

  Aquaculture Tank Cleaner

  Cleaned my high school's homemade tilapia aquaculture tank each week.Washed filters and poured water in.

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  Massachusetts Maritime Academy

  Oct 2021 - Oct 2021

  Fish Dissection

  I gained first hand experience with fish structures and participated with others to dissect a Touge fish in my Biology of Fishes class.

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  Massachusetts Maritime Academy

  May 2022 - May 2022

  Seaweed Monitoring Project

  • Conducted a weekly assessment of seaweeds in coastal New England Waters for three consecutive weeks on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy beach• Gained fundamental knowledge about sound experimental design and marine protist of New England• Identified and became familiarized with marine protist species of New England

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  Massachusetts Maritime Academy

  Sept 2022 - Apr 2024

  In my Senior Capstone Project, our group aimed to see how much microplastic is found on both Cadet Beach and Onset Beach and what we can do to mitigate this problem. We conducted weekly analyses of microplastics at Cadet Beach and Onset Beach, resulting in the collection and examination of 300 samples to assess local pollution levels and explore potential mitigation strategies. We applied sieving techniques for wet and dry sand, and extracted microplastics in the process. Lastly, we analyzed 300 microplastic samples under the microscope, classifying them based on the tidal zones from which they were collected. Show less I monitored juvenile shellfish in “upwellers” and determine the optimal stocking densities based on growth and mortality endpoints.I used approximately 500 Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and stocked at 4 different densities. There was 5 replicates stocking density, giving a total of 20 baskets to be deployed in the “upwellers” at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Science Bay off the floating docks. I was responsible for monitoring one basket. This basket consisted of 50 Eastern oysters. Show less

  • Environmental Monitoring Project- How Much Microplastics are on the South Shore Beaches?

    Sept 2023 - Apr 2024

  • MMA Research Cruise (Done in Oct 2022, May 2023, and October 2023)

    Oct 2022 - Oct 2023

  • Rocky Intertidal Field Work (Done September 2022 and September 2023)

    Sept 2022 - Sept 2023

  • Stocking Density Monitoring Project

    Apr 2023 - Jun 2023

  • Salt Marsh Field Work

    Sept 2022 - Sept 2022
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  Seaside Sustainability

  Dec 2022 - now

  Management Fellowship allows individuals to gain both project management and leadership skills at a higher organizational level. The fellows are the backbone of the organization’s work and exist to ensure the effective running of each of our teams as well as the internship program as a whole. The Management Fellow position is responsible for (overview): ● Oversight of a team● Oversight of a group of personal interns whom you meet with once every 2 weeks ● Update organizational documents and tools used for tracking internship progress ● Being available to answer emails and chats outside of scheduled internship hours. ● Addressing any comments or concerns interns (either personal or your team’s) have ● Ensuring interns schedule their bi-weekly calls, fulfill their required hours, and complete their assigned work ● Providing assistance for students seeking to earn credit for their internship. ● Attending bi-weekly Fellow meetings to update other Fellows on the projects you oversee, how your interns are doing, and if you have any concerns or questions. ● Writing recommendation letters for exceptional interns. Show less The Marine Science and Technology team works on ecological restoration, community engagement, and research that ultimately protects our waterways and coastal environments. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented virtual programming to involve our community in a meaningful and safe way. We are passionate about sustainability and knowledgeable about current issues related to our environment. Our initiatives include: creating educational materials to facilitate citizen science, writing and releasing a monthly newsletter dedicated to climate change, collaborating with other Seaside teams, and more! The desired skills needed for this internship are: Outstanding writing and communication skills, ability to work in a collaborative and interpersonal environment, perform literature reviews and extensive research into a wide range of topics, organize and write about advanced scientific information for the general public, and the knowledge of how and when to cite sources. The desired experience for this internship are: STEM Research, Performance of scientific literature reviews and interaction with academic publications, Courses in environmental science, sustainability, or environmental justice, Jobs in sustainability, Experience creating educational materials for children or the average citizen, and ArcGIS experience. Show less The Sponsorship/Grants Team collaborate with each other to write and submit grant proposals. By conducting preliminary grant research and drafting compelling narratives, we put together grant applications that showcase Seaside’s mission and achievements. We also work independently on these projects. I attend weekly meetings with their team and communicate with the project managers. All of the interns display excellent research and writing skills, communication skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills, can understand directions, strong organization and time management abilities, and motivation. We all have experience in independent research and team projects as well. Show less

  • Marine Science and Technology Fellow

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Marine Science and Education Intern

    Dec 2022 - Sept 2023

  • Sponsorships/Grants Intern

    Dec 2022 - Sept 2023
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  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

  Apr 2023 - Apr 2023

  Marine Mammal Necropsy

  I witnessed a Gray Seal necropsy with my Marine Mammals class at the Marine Research Facility (MRF) Quissett Campus. Sarah McCormack, the stranding coordinator for Whale Dolphin Conservation, and Fred Wenzel from NOAA NMFS Protected Species Branch conducted the necropsy.

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  Pace® Analytical Services

  Jan 2025 - now

  Laboratory Technician 1

  - Prepares lab for daily operations, including stocking materials, equipment, safety, cleanliness, and related areas.- Supports analytical testing process using standard lab support knowledge in the collection and review of conditions, including preserving samples, completing sample preparation,documenting and communicating results.- Picks up, transports, and maintains results, samples, documents, materials and other items as needed.- Disposes of laboratory materials and samples using well established guidelines and instructions.- Reviews, completes and processes standard degrees of logs, documents, databases, and related materials and information.- Provides fundamental support in the application and assistance to staff and management regarding lab support policies, programs and practices.- Provides support researching issues and developing recommendations to resolve process, department and related customer issues.- Assists in the review and implementation of lab support policies, practices and programs to meet organizational, operations and management needs.- Assists with ensuring compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; receives guidance and direction or escalates when required.- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.- Promotes and supports the overall mission of Pace Analytical by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with customers and staff; acts in a manner thatpromotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment. Show less