Duration of Internship: April 2018 – August 2018
Funded by ERAMSUS+
B.Sc. International Degree Programme Industrial and Environmental Biology, University of Applied Sciences Bremen (2015-2019)
After he successfully finished the first two years of his Bachelor Degree in Germany, Patrick decided to follow marine related topics within his biology course. To this end, he spent one semester at South Africa, studying Marine Biology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. Subsequently he started a five months internship at MER to improve his practical skills at the field and the lab and enlarge his knowledge on marine ecosystems and organisms.
At MER he was involved in water and sediment sampling and analyses (e.g. granulometry, OM, nutrients, Chl. a), sorting and basic taxonomy of macrofauna, monitoring of seagrasses (Posidonia oceanica and Halophila stipulacea) at the field and laboratory using descriptors and indicators, participated in removals of lionfish (Pterois miles) and studied its ecology (e.g. interaction with other species) and biology (e.g. diet, growth, reproduction).
Furthermore he participated in several ecological baseline and monitoring surveys using standardized techniques, processed data with the aid of different IT systems (Microsoft Excel, QGIS, Google Earth) to plan or analyse sampling events, and involved in the preparation of a risk assessment for Lagocephalus sceleratus based on the Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 on invasive alien species.
The internship helped him to clarify his future plans and aims for his scientific career and to focus on marine related topics in his following studies.
Contact: p.volkens@gmail.com