This past summer, Lia Hidalgo worked as a chief scientist on a shark project along the Gulf of Mexico called Shark and Ray Field Research through Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy. Last school year, when she was a sophomore, Biology Professor Floyd Hayes mentioned this incredible internship opportunity in her home state of Florida. As an environmental studies major, she applied for the four-week program, was accepted, and completed the internship in two two-week blocks: June and August. As chief scientist, she learned how to capture, tag, and release sharks and rays through handling. 

“I’ve always been interested in sea life from a young age,” shared Lia. “I knew I wanted to study to be a marine biologist after taking a trip to Puerto Rico and snorkeling in the coral reef. Since the summer I was 11, I knew I had to follow in Abuelo’s footsteps. What inspired me to apply for this project was all the experience I would be able to receive through this project and, of course, my passion.”

What did a typical day on the job look like? What specific shark species did you encounter or focus on during the project? 

• 6:00 am- wake up and get ready
• 7:00 am- driving to class
• 8:00 am- class and lecture
• 9:00 am- driving to the dock
• 10:00 am to 4:00 pm- On the boat/handing and research
• 4:00 pm and later- driving back home and resting

While I was on the boat, I worked on tangling nets (stingrays, sharks, and other sea organisms that get caught), longlines, baiting and hooking, anchoring, net casting, and data collection. It really depended on which boat you were on because each one did different tasks, and we rotated so everyone could take on different roles throughout the day. 

Throughout my internship, I encountered Southern stingray, Bluntnose stingray, Cownose stingray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Blacknose shark, Sharpnose shark, Blacktip Shark, Great Hammerhead shark, Scalloped Hammerhead shark, Nurse shark, Lemon shark, and Bonnethead shark. Occasionally, we also encountered green sea turtles, manatees, and various crabs and sea stars.

What safety protocols did you learn and follow while handling sharks?

• Use the least invasive method that meets your goals.
• Always minimize handling and reduce stress. 
• Obtain proper animal care and research permits. 
• Apply humane release procedures if capture is necessary.
• Ensure constant supervision of any gear that can entangle.

We were also told the basics: don’t put any body parts in front of the shark’s mouth, hold the shark down with two hands, don’t jump off the boat while it’s moving, and work as a team to keep the animal safe.

What was the hardest part of the project, and how did you push through it?

I think the hardest part was waiting for a catch and not catching anything on that trial. The anticipation and adrenaline of catching something can boost hope that you’ll catch an organism, but unfortunately, you don’t. Also, the heat and storms can be terrible and make catching more difficult.

Which task did you enjoy the most?

Measuring and data were my favorite. I really liked checking all the species’ lengths and recording the data because I felt like I was gaining experience in something I usually hate in school. I also enjoyed using the nets, but I hated trying to remove the species from the net because they would thrash in the boat trying to get out.

Did you find any unexpected trends or data that surprised you? 

Not really. Going into this project, I knew what to expect because I already knew a lot about sharks, especially in the area where I was working. The only thing that surprised me was that, during the whole summer, even while I wasn’t interning, we never once caught a single Tiger shark or Bull shark, even though the organization normally would in previous summers, so that made an unexpected trend in the organization’s data of multiple shark species caught in summers combined.

What is the most important lesson or skill you took away from this experience?

The most important lesson I learned was that even when you’re trying your best to take care of a shark and keep it alive, it can kill itself and die. During my internship, I had two sharks caught by the longline that died from lactic acid. I also learned a skill that can potentially save a shark that’s almost dead by moving its tail back and forth to push water through its gills. Even though these two sharks died, we still used them for science and did a dissection lesson.

What was the most memorable moment from your time on this project? 

My most memorable moment was catching an 8-foot male nurse shark, and I was the one who tail-roped him. I was full of adrenaline and not even scared of the shark pulling me deep into the water or biting me. Throughout the catch, measurement, data, and release, I couldn’t think of anything but this huge shark in front of me.

How did this project benefit your academic and career plans?

I completed my internship credits through this project and learned more about shark and ray research. For my career plans, this really opened my eyes to a possible career path I could pursue. I for sure still want to study marine biology, but I might want to get experience with other species like sea mammals and potentially focus more on their behavior and husbandry.

How did PUC help prepare you for this project? Is there a specific class or professor who helped prepare you for this internship? 

Even though I am from Florida, I never knew this project existed. I found this project through the School of Science. Dr. Floyd Hayes shared the information with me and kept insisting that I take this project as my internship. He helped me research the organization and everything I needed to know. I highly suggest that students and the school value Dr. Hayes, take a class with him, or get to know him; he really cares and wants to help you with anything you may need.

How has attending PUC benefited your education and future career? 

PUC has benefited my education by giving me a real one-on-one connection with students and faculty. I thrive in smaller classes and appreciate getting quick feedback and help. I think the classes and experiences I get through PUC, along with the opportunities they share about outside experiences, really prepare me for grad school, my future career, and adult life in general.

What made you decide to attend PUC?

Funny enough, I applied to PUC after I got an email from them when I didn’t even know this place existed, even though I’m SDA. I wasn’t planning to come because I couldn’t afford the school without scholarships. I fully committed to PUC while studying abroad in France after getting an email that I had received the Maxwell Scholarship; I eventually became a student in the winter of 2025.

What do you appreciate the most about your department? How do they support you and your career goals? 

What I appreciate most about my department is the multiple majors we have in the School of Science’s Biology Department. I was first a biology major, and later Dr. Hayes helped me switch to Environmental Studies because it fit me much better. I also appreciate being able to pursue a psychology minor to learn about animal behavior and psychology.

Did this project change or solidify the career path you want to pursue post-graduation? 

It solidifies the career path I want to pursue after PUC. I plan to do a master’s and a PhD (maybe even skip my master’s and go straight to a PhD) and figure out whether I want to specialize in marine animal behavior and husbandry.