Kenia Calderon

During this internship, I conducted research alongside Marine Biology Graduate students at Moss Landing Marine Labs in abalone aquaculture. Our main research project was looking into how integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems benefited red abalone when grown alongside dulse seaweed. Although our project included a lot of data collection and analysis, most of our work involved husbandry. This included cleaning the tanks, resetting the dulse weekly, assessing the growth of the abalone, and maintaining water quality. We also monitored parameters such as temperature, pH, and nutrient levels to ensure optimal conditions for the abalone and dulse. Additionally, we collaborated with the graduate students to design experiments, collect samples, and analyze data to understand the effects of IMTA on abalone growth and seaweed production. Overall, the internship provided valuable hands-on experience in Marine Biology research.

• During my internship, I actively contributed to the advancement of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, focusing on abalone and other invertebrates
• My role centered on education, training, and public information to address the challenges posed by the growing demand for these species and the impact of ocean acidification on industry growth
• My involvement in the sustainable aquaculture of abalone and oysters has provided me with extensive hands-on experience in animal care and husbandry
• This foundational knowledge is vital for ensuring the well-being of animals.

• I babysat for different families for a few years
• I created a stimulating and fun environment for children through age-appropriate activities, games, and crafts
• Maintaining open and clear communication with both children and parents is essential
• I maintained transparent and collaborative relationships with families to ensure their expectations were met and exceeded
• Prioritizing the safety of children was the main responsibility
• I am trained in basic first aid and CPR, ensuring a quick and effective response in case of emergencies.

• During my time at Starbucks I greeted customers and took their orders
• I handled the cash register and sometimes was in charge of splitting weekly tips
• I prepared many drinks that required a lot of memorization and warmed up the food
• I cleaned the cafe and kitchen to keep the space up to State Standards
• Cleaning included wiping down counters, dusting, sweeping, mopping, changing the rag buckets, cleaning the bathrooms and taking out the trash
• I sometimes trained new Baristas and showed them how to do all of the above.