Marisol Helms

Experience

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  Sea Education Association

  Jun 2021 - Jul 2021

  Student Researcher

  I joined an SEA Expedition program affiliated with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as part of a student crew aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer. The program is comprised of an academic shore component and research on-ship portion. During the first half, I took oceanography, nautical science, and maritime studies courses, all designed as preparatory for the second half on the research vessel. While on board, we worked four hour rotating shifts to sail the ship; performing deck and engine inspections, manning the helm and lookout, hauling sails, scrubbing soles, and working in the galley with the professional crew. We also worked with the science team in the deck laboratory, taking sediment and water samples, 40 meter and Neuston tows, and analyzing data at night. Our cumulative project was a group report detailing where we recommended a new marine protected area based on the biomass we sampled and the human infrastructure in the area. Show less

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  Broadreach

  Jul 2022 - Aug 2022

  Student Researcher

  I traveled to Viti Levu, Fiji on a Broadreach academic program. We took coursework on the natural history and biology of elasmobranchs, and conducted our own research on the bull sharks in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve. My group sought to learn if the number of remoras found on a bull shark was an indication of that individual's feeding success. Over the course of several dives to a 90 ft location, we took notes on slates, reported our data in Google sheets, analyzed it in graphs, and eventually presented a written research paper to the instructors and a slideshow presentation to our peers. In addition, I underwent the coursework and training to receive my advanced open water dive certification. Show less

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  Self-employed

  Jun 2023 - now

  Private Swim Instructor
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  Boonsboro Country Club

  Jun 2023 - May 2024

  Assistant Swim Coach
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  Caselle Lab

  Jan 2024 - now

  I am conducting settlement tile acidification to provide coral reef calcification data. I am conducting routine re-ethanolization and maintenance on our invertebrate sample archive. In addition to sorting samples, I checked sorting work and completed the data entry process into the lab’s database. I worked on processing data for the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) project by sorting samples and identifying mollusk and crab recruits.

  • Intern

    Apr 2025 - now

  • Intern

    Feb 2025 - now

  • Intern

    Sept 2024 - Feb 2025

  • Intern

    Jan 2024 - Feb 2025
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  Shoals Marine Laboratory

  Jul 2024 - Jul 2024

  Student Researcher

  I completed a two week academic program on shark biology and conservation, including a lecture and exam component and field work component. Field work was comprised of shark workups (microbiome sampling, fin sample, blood draw, measurements, and tagging) on a small research vessel. Blood lactate and hematocrit analysis were completed using field centrifuges and blood lactate meters. In addition, I worked with a team to design and execute a pilot experimental trial period using captive juvenile skates to ask "how will a predator presence affect behavior around BRUVS?" This preliminary information was then presented to the class as a final project. Show less

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  UC Santa Barbara

  Sept 2024 - now

  ROV Implementation Team

  Working with a group of CCS peers under Dr. Dave Valentine to adapt UCSB's two newly acquired remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to suit school research needs. Some projects in mind include water chemistry analysis, methane and oil seep sampling, and microbial mat sampling.