By Gabe Redmond

My experience over the course of this project and my time at this REU was incredible. Getting hands-on in fieldwork was a dream come true. I loved to work with creatures like the Atlantic Silversides, gain so much knowledge about them, how they grow, and how important they are to the ecosystem.

Doing the project was really cool and very fun. Getting to understand each step of the process until we reached our final goal was very cool and interesting. I really enjoyed being around a big group of people who were also intrigued and excited about what we were going to find. I had an amazing mentor who stood by constantly helping me and working right alongside me, and teaching me all the neat tips and tricks to everything, something I will never forget.

I got to meet so many incredible people and personalities, and being able to see the excitement, the concentration, and so much more is something that can’t be put into words. It’s this feeling that is so extravagant, having such a great group of people that I would consider friends was such an incredible honor to have worked alongside them. If any of them ever asked me to come back up and help any time during the future, I would come back and work with or for any of them.

I could not have asked for a better experience and I am very happy that I get to bring so much knowledge with me towards my future goals and all the friends and contacts with me as well.