Wittenberg Marine Science

Today's the day! Congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates! We are so proud of all of you and can't wait to see what you do next! 😎 🦀🦞🌊🐟🐬🦈🦑🎉

Name: Kinu Shope
Home town: Yellow Springs
Major: Biology

Future plans: Zoological Veterinary Technology

Marine science Experiences at Witt: 2 DUML trips, MRSC research credit/sea urchins, faculty aide

Favorite Witt marine science experience: Finding creatures in the wild and having the professors identify them and give some fun facts about them

Advice to new marine science minors: It's totally chill. It's a great balance of manageable and legitimately intellectually and academically stimulating, and you will probably end up seeing the natural world a little differently, like it's more inviting and exciting.

What will you miss most about being on campus?: I will miss the creatures in the lab.

Let's keep it up by saluting Mason Steen!

Name: Mason Steene
Home town: Leroy, OH
Major: Biology, Environmental Science

Future plans: Work with the ODNR until I go to grad school

Marine science Experiences at Witt: Bahamas trip, marine ecology field trip

Favorite Witt marine science experience: The Bahamas, learning and researching all of the native marine fish, coral, and other organisms

Advice to new marine science minors: Do as many experiences as you can, all trips and research I did were some of the best times I had as an under graduate

What will you miss most about being on campus?: The opportunities I had and the conversations with peaople who shared similar interests to me

Commencement is almost here! Help us keep celebrating our seniors! Today we celebrate Alexis Cruea!!

Name: Alexis Cruea
Home town: West Union, OH
Major: Biology

Future plans: I plan to take a gap year and hopefully obtain a job in the marine science field over the next year. I am also applying for the 2027 Fulbright Program, where I hope to travel to Australia and conduct research on manta ray migration patterns.

Marine science Experiences at Witt: I studied abroad in Costa Rica during my Spring 2024 semester and I went to the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina during my Spring 2025 semester.

Favorite Witt marine science experience: One of my favorite experiences in the Wittenberg Marine Science program was attending the Duke Marine Lab. I loved being by the beach every day and getting to participate in so many fun and hands-on activities. The professors provided valuable research opportunities and taught skills that gave me real-world experience in marine science. I believe my time at the Duke Marine Lab prepared me the most for my future career in the field.

Advice to new marine science minors: Take advantage of every opportunity the Wittenberg Marine Science program has to offer! Exploring new places and gaining hands-on field experience are some of the best ways to build the skills and knowledge needed for a career in marine science.

What will you miss most about being on campus?: I will miss seeing all of the professors in the science building, spending time with my friends, and being around so many people on campus every day. I’ll also miss the overall atmosphere and sense of community that made being on campus so special.

Help us keep celebrating our 2026 Marine Minors! Today we also salute Olivia Follick!

Name: Olivia Follick
Home town:, Vandalia, Ohio

Major: Biology, Education Minor

Future Plans: Life Sciences teacher for grades 7-12. Also a volleyball coach!

Marine Science Experiences at Witt: FIRE week at the Duke Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, NC & summer trip to the Bahamas for summer research

Favorite Witt marine science experience: Being able to connect with other individuals that share the same passions and interests. I also enjoyed hearing and seeing other peoples experiences within the Marine Science field.

Advice to new marine science minors: Take the risk and go on as many trips offered as you can! Connect with alums of the program and other individuals that you meet. You never know who you will meet and who can be someone who can assist you

Today we salute Karlee Henderson!!

Name: Karlee Henderson
Home town: Michigantown, IN

Major: Environmental Science

Marine science Experiences at Witt: I’ve taken two trips to Duke Marine Lab. I went on the fire week trip and the class field trip for marine ecology

Favorite Witt marine science experience: The marine ecology class trip was my favorite thing. It’s a good way to get some new experience. Learning how to do the multiplex PCR was also a good experience

Advice to new marine science minors: Take advantage of all the different experiences it has to offer!
What will you miss most about being on campus?: I’ll miss being around my friends and working with all the animals.

Help us continue to celebrate our 2026 Marine Science Minors! Today's salute goes to Wyatt Poling!

Name: Wyatt Poling
Home town: Batavia
Major: Environmental Science

Future plans: Work in the world of water, via lakes or oceans and doing something i believe in and find enjoyment in doing

Marine Science experiences? FIRE and WATER, fire week trip to Duke marine lab. Study Abroad to San Salvador Bahamas

Favorite Witt marine science experience: San Salvador

Advice to new marine science minors: Enjoy it, the minor is small so take any classes you can and enjoy the moments in them. Those are going to be some of the coolest experiences and opportunities in the early stages of your life

What will you miss most about being on campus? The small classes. The tight knit community that was made in the classroom between my professors and marine science minors was special because it was class, but sometimes it felt like we were all just hanging out

It's that time of year! Help us celebrate our 2026 Marine Science minor graduates! Today's salute goes to Izabel Giglio!!

Home town: West Chester, Ohio
Major: Biology

Future Plans: I’m planning on applying to grad school next year to continue my research on sea turtle hatchlings!

Marine science Experiences at Witt: Duke Marine Lab, Marine Ecology class field trip to the Duke Marine Lab

Favorite Witt marine science experience: Spending a semester at the Duke University Marine Laboratory where I got to take a course in sea turtle biology where I traveled to Puerto Rico and St. Croix to conduct in water tagging and nesting research.

Advice to new marine science minors: Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone to try new things!

What will you miss most about being on campus? Seeing my friends and favorite professors around campus

Great place to work! Anyone looking??

We’re ! Are you interested in marine biology and estuarine science, with opportunities to work in the field and the lab? Our SERC Marine Invasions Research Laboratory is looking for TWO technicians for trust-funded (non-federal) positions. Contracts are one year but may be extended. Apply by May 15!

1. Marine Biologist
This role supports field and lab research by collecting sediment samples of aquatic life from estuaries in Maryland, with occasional travel to other field sites. The technician will use microscopes to sort, identify and count aquatic organisms, and support analyses through data entry and quality control. See the full listing here at https://s.si.edu/4ehqnOW

2. Marine Invertebrate Analyst
This role supports field and lab research by collecting biological samples from sediments primarily in Maryland, with some travel to other sites. Other responsibilities include identifying benthic invertebrates using microscopes and processing samples for genetic analysis. See the full listing at https://s.si.edu/4eie44U

Great opportunity!

Looking for post B.S./B.A. opportunities in Fisheries Science? Check out our 2026 Fisheries Ecology Lab Internship!!