Lindsay Colgan

Lindsay Colgan had the opportunity to intern virtually with a marine biology lab at Massey University in New Zealand. Through this program she gained exposure in managing large data sets for labs, completing literature reviews, and communicating findings with fellow lab members. Exploring the incident reports for the endemic dolphin species of New Zealand helped Lindsay to understand the human impact on marine wildlife mortality. Specifically, the lab focused its work on the disease toxoplasmosis and the transmission to dolphins. Even in a virtual setting, she was able to learn about and contribute to the impact of this research lab’s work from thousands of miles away.

A career development component to the virtual internship focused on networking and building a self-brand. While learning about a new culture, Lindsay was also exposed to career exploration and skills necessary for future employment. Along with the virtual research lab experience, she participated in cultural debriefs to discuss cultural findings while expanding upon new aspects. Through the meetings, Lindsay became familiar with the large indigenous presence in New Zealand and their focus on community traditions, including large feasts called Hakari. With a focus on sustainability, she was introduced to the idea of being a Kaitaki, or environmental steward. The Maori have a strong connection to the land, sky, and sea which roots their values in conservation. As a country with many endemic species, biodiversity sustainability is of high importance. By being able to assist with analyses of human interactions and wildlife, Lindsay developed key lab skills which will assist her in future research positions.