Interns

John (Jack) Degnan is a rising first year student at Connecticut College, where he plans to study Biology and Marine Science. Jack’s career aspirations are to work with conservation efforts, being part of a research team studying the effects of the environment on marine organisms and identifying ways to protect their ecosystems.  Jack is excited about working with the sea nettles team as he is interested in studying invertebrates. In 2020, Jack participated in a Cornell/University of New Hampshire college program with the Isle of Shoals to study the Biology of Sharks, Skates and Rays. He also participated in a high school Pre-Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  In addition, Jack has camera experience as a member of the MBS film crew and completion of film editing courses with the NJ Film School.

Eric is a rising senior at Rowan University. He is working on finishing a bachelor’s degree in biological science and a minor in law and justice. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys camping, hiking, rock climbing and all things outdoors. Eric has done research on trifolium repens or white clover plants, both in the field and statistical calculations to figure out how urbanization affects their grow rate.  He has also worked alongside multiple county and state parks local to the area including Cattus Island and Island Beach State Park. 

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science and math at Cornell University. Growing up, I would spend my summers sailing on the Bay. I have always loved the Bay and taken interest in it and the many animals I have gotten to see. It always bothered me when I sailed by trash or a particularly polluted part of the bay, and now that I’m not sailing I’d like to help out saving the bay I grew up on. Outside of just the bay, I am very passionate about the environment and I love animals. I hope that one day I am able to use my computer science skills to help environmental engineers create the technology needed to save this planet. I think Earth’s nature is an incredible and beautiful thing that must be preserved. This could be all there is in the Universe and that single possibility drives me to want to do all that I can.

Melanie Thorn is currently working towards getting her bachelor’s degree at Juniata College. She is studying environmental studies with a focus in politics and an emphasis in peace and conflict studies. She hopes to turn her passion into a career influencing environmental policy and creating a space for environmental restorative justice. Growing up in Ocean County she discovered her passion for protecting the environment. She sought out Save Barnegat Bay so she could help protect the beloved bay that she grew up on. She will be working as a Stormwater Intern for the Non-point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) project this summer.

Alissa is a rising junior at Elon University with a major in Environmental Studies and minors in Environmental Education and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. She has sailed for many years at Mantoloking Yacht Club and now coaches sailing in Lavallette. Through this experience, she has gained a great appreciation for the bay and its ecosystem. She is excited to be working on the Sea Nettle Team this summer and cannot wait to make a difference in our community.

Maggie Hodges graduated from the Lacey Township High School STEM Program in 2020 and is a rising sophomore at Stevens Institute of Technology, studying environmental engineering. Growing up on the Jersey Shore has made her extremely passionate about our bay, ocean, and environment, as a whole. This inspired her to study the condition of our Barnegat Bay and how it is impacted by the presence of oysters, during her senior year capstone project. Completely fascinated by this topic, Maggie is extremely eager to continue work related to the bay.

Emily Zembricki is a senior at Stockton University pursuing a B.S. in marine science with a concentration in marine biology and a minor in behavioral neuroscience. After completing her undergraduate degree, Emily plans on continuing her education and earning a PhD in marine biology with a focus on orca whale conservation and management. In graduate school, she anticipates studying the psychological impacts of captivity on orca whales and other marine megafauna. Emily has been creating educational pamphlets and displays about stinging bay nettles for the public and the Save Barnegat Bay EcoCenter. She has also been working on establishing the “Text a Bay Nettle” phone line which would allow people to communicate with a bay nettle through a volunteer bay-nettle speaker. Emily has also been creating content for the SBB website page and assisting with outreach events. In addition to interning at SBB, Emily has also interned with the American Littoral Society, worked as a ranger for the MERL research lab at Stockton University, volunteered for both Save Coastal Wildlife and the U.S. Division of Fish and Wildlife Services, and is a member of the 2021 RIOS REU cohort at Rutgers University. Emily has been a Bay Nettle Intern since Spring 2021 and is looking forward to continuing to intern throughout the summer and fall.

Nicole is a senior at Georgian Court University earning a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in sustainability. Nicole also has an associate degree in social science from Brookdale Community College. Growing up in Monmouth and Ocean counties, Nicole has loved enjoying its parks and beaches. She hopes to protect these outdoor spaces so that others get the opportunity to enjoy them for generations to come. She will be working with Save Barnegat Bay on environmental justice in the region.  

Samantha Tomkowich is a Junior at Stockton University studying marine biology. She has created an educational program for “This Way to Barnegat Bay” that teaches young people how to identify native plants. She has a passion for education and has helped with festivals and school presentations throughout her time. As a result of Sam’s internship at Save Barnegat Bay and passion, Sam will continue her work at the American Littoral Society this summer.

Molly Robinson graduated in June 2017 from the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science. Molly will be going on to study environmental science at the University of Rochester in the fall. She will be working on creating educational displays for the public at the new Save Barnegat Bay EcoCenter this summer as well as assisting with outreach events.

Hazel Bess is a junior at Franklin & Marshall College, where she will complete her BA in History by Spring 2017. Because of her interest in archival science she is very excited to be working with the Pete McLain collection, housing and digitizing photographs of Barnegat Bay wildlife. Hazel grew up sailing on Barnegat Bay and is passionate about ensuring the survival of its history as well as the bay itself.

Christopher Campise graduated in 2015 from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. As an avid swimmer, he has always understood the importance of protecting the waters of Barnegat Bay. He is currently a rising 2L at Rutgers Law, and has worked with our advocacy team on strengthening New Jersey’s landmark fertilizer law, NJSA 58:10A-61, and on seeking the implementation of new laws prohibiting the use of urea as an ice-melt.

Michelle Gerardo graduated in May 2017 from Kean University with a BS in Marketing. She has a passion for creativity and design. Michelle has been working on signature education brochures and business card displays for the public and the Barnegat Bay EcoCenter.

Joanna Peluso graduated in December 2014 from The College of NJ, with a Bachelor of Arts is Sociology, interdisciplinary concentration in Environmental Studies. Joanna  joined us in January and has worked on our Fertilizer Challenge as well as various education programs. She will be assisting us this summer with the development of two new education programs.

Kristin Ryerson recent graduate of Delaware Valley University, with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management, minor in Environmental Science. She is currently a graduate student at Stockton University, studying Environmental Science. With Kristin’s strong background in Conservation, she will be assisting in Education & Outreach with the development of two new programs.

Victoria Esler is a senior at Monmouth University, Victoria will complete her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in the Spring of 2016. Since she is interested in pursuing a career in law, with a concentration in environmental activism, we are glad she has joined our advocacy team. With guidance, she will be assisting us in developing our new young advocates program, Barnegat Bay Defenders.

Roberto Nieves was a recent graduate of Stockton University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. As Staff Writer and Photographer for The Argo, Stockton’s newspaper, he will be working with our media consultant, Chris Landi, to develop a stronger internet presence through video blogs, website updates, and our podcasts. As a volunteer with Stockton’s Water Watch group, he is already familiar with the many water-related issues our area faces every day.

Hayley Kunkle is a junior at Boston College studying environmental science. She has a passion for marine life and conservation, and grew up visiting LBI and Point Pleasant in the summers. As an outreach intern, she is working on updating and developing new displays for fundraisers and festivals, as well as creating content for the SBB website.

Blair Dewing is a 2017 graduate of Washington and Lee University with a major in Biology. She grew up sailing and kayaking on Barnegat Bay, which instilled in her an early love for the area and the people who live here. Because of her love of the environment and her experience interacting with students at home and abroad, Blair is so excited to work as an Education and Outreach intern this summer, helping others to learn how they can better maintain and appreciate Barnegat Bay.

Breanna DeCaro is a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh, pursuing a degree in Urban Policy and Spanish Language. Her dedication to advocating for environmental issues, as well as her studies in university have lead her to become the Advocacy and Policy intern here at Save Barnegat Bay. She takes other sustainable initiatives while at school, including working as the Operations Manager at a thrift store on campus dedicated to reducing textile waste and promoting re-use.

Lara Beck was an intern with Save Barnegat Bay for the Summer of 2018. She is currently a Senior at Stockton University majoring in Environmental Science. During this internship, Lara created a map of Brown’s Woods where the Ecocenter is located, along with a subwatershed map of the Barnegat Bay Watershed that will be used in outreach and education efforts. In addition, Lara helped with education and outreach programs and other side projects around the Ecocenter. Lara has a passion for preserving the ecosystem she has been around her whole life including the Barnegat Bay and the Pine Barrens.

Lauren attends the University of Tampa and has plans to become a Marine Biologist. She has been interested in the environment throughout her whole life. Lauren attended science camps as a kid, working her way up to visiting the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center and interning through NewLogic science camps. Lauren in a Student Grant Awardee on the SIMCZ team this year. She loves the beach, running, kayaking and swimming, and is in the process of training for the advanced SCUBA certification. Lauren has done research through school assignments and for the internship that coincides with plants and wildlife in the Barnegat Bay area. Lauren has also assisted with research that focuses on water quality and sea-level-rise.

Jackie is a rising sophomore at Dickinson College where she is majoring in Environmental Studies and English and pursuing a Food Studies certificate. She grew up spending summers in Seaside Park and working in Lavallette, developing a deep love for the Bay and ocean. As she began learning about the threats to our home at the Jersey Shore through environmental classes, she became passionate about protecting it, sustainability, and communicating the science behind it all to the public. Jackie is so excited to work as an Education and Outreach intern this summer conveying to others the need to protect the Barnegat Bay and what we can do to make a difference.

Samantha is a rising senior at West Chester University of PA studying Sociology as well as Environmental Health. As her passion for protecting the environment grew over recent years, she sought out Save Barnegat Bay in order to pursue her interests and make a positive impact on the Jersey Shore where she has lived all her life. By working as an Education and Outreach intern this summer, Samantha is excited to share the importance of protecting Barnegat Bay with others as well as empowering them with the tools to do so.

Avery Lentini is a rising senior at the University of Vermont, where she is majoring in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Policy and a double minor in Art and Community & International Development. Having swam competitively for 14 years and having grown up spending summers on Long Beach Island, she has always felt a strong connection to water. Over the years she has become involved in social justice initiatives and is excited to expand her activistic role in the environmental movement. By serving as an Advocacy intern this summer, Avery looks forward to contributing to the organization in its community-driven mission to protect our world’s precious water resources.

Cameron is a recent Chemical and Biological Engineering graduate from Princeton University, who will be serving as an Advocacy Intern with SBB this summer. His interest in watershed conservation and restoration grew out of his previous experience addressing water quality and water security issues as a Project Manager with Engineers Without Borders. As an Advocacy Intern, he hopes to help conduct watershed conservation and restoration policy research and to communicate these findings with the public.

Corrine is a rising junior at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania. She is currently on track to complete a bachelors of science degree in Environmental Studies. Corrine’s love for the outdoors began when she was young, specifically mesmerized by the ocean and all of its mystery. Fascinated by the thought of mystical creatures in the ocean, Corrine decided that she wanted to pursue environmental education through mermaid cosplay. Because she found that young lives are captivated by the same mystery she was, she wants to bridge imagination and science, relating facts to fun. Corrine visits the Barnegat Bay light house every summer, exploring and learning something new about the bay environment every time. Her internship with Save Barnegat Bay will give her important knowledge to further her passion in educating generations to come.

Brianna is a rising junior at the University of Arizona. She is majoring in Geosciences with a concentration in Earth, Oceans, and Climate, and she is pursuing two minors, one in Soil and Water Science and another in History. At university, Brianna works in a paleoclimate lab, which  has deepened her passion for conservation and sustainability, and she now hopes to pursue a career in studying climate and improving science communication with the public. By working as an intern for Save Barnegat Bay this summer, Brianna hopes to strengthen her science communication skills and to help others create a deeper understanding for and appreciation of the bay environment.

Kate is a rising senior at the Lawrenceville School. She grew up spending summers in Bay Head where she developed a deep love for the Bay and the ocean. Through an Environmental Science course at her high school, she learned the various threats that our local ecosystems face. Kate is excited to intern as a social media manager at Save Barnegat Bay to continue with her passions of protecting and learning about the local environments while educating various audiences through social media.

Caroline A. Snyder is from Mantoloking, NJ. She is a student at Washington and Lee University in Virginia studying Geology and Environmental Studies as a double-major. Caroline has a love for Barnegat Bay because of its natural ever-changing beauty throughout the seasons, and its facilitation of community for both humans and animals. Caroline will be spending the summer working on ESRI maps to help communicate the state of water quality throughout the watershed.

Hadley is a rising sophomore at Penn State University studying mechanical engineering. Her love of nature developed at a young age while hiking with her family and spending time outdoors at summer camp. She grew up visiting Bay Head, NJ, where she fell in love with Barnegat Bay and the surrounding community. Hadley is creating green infrastructure and STEM education material for Save Barnegat Bay. She is very excited to be helping students learn how they can improve the environment through science and engineering.

Jeff will be serving as a Sea Grant Intern with SBB this summer. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from NYU in Environmental Conservation Education. Jeff has a passion for New Jersey’s flora and fauna and is interested in connecting people with their local ecosystems and inspiring them to preserve the environment. When not working, he enjoys cycling, hiking, and gardening.

John Critelli, a rising sophomore at Trinity School, has been visiting Bay Head and Point Pleasant his whole life. While working this summer as a beach cleaner, he has seen the disregard that some people have for the environment, and he hopes to contribute to efforts to protect our beaches and waterways. John loves kayaking, canoeing, crabbing, and clamming, and he wants others to be able to enjoy these same activities throughout Barnegat Bay and Twilight Lake. John is happy that he can support the advocacy efforts of Save Barnegat Bay through his documentation of the importance of Twilight Lake to the Bay Head community.

Julia is a rising junior at St. Mary’s College of Maryland where she is a Biology and Environmental Studies double major. She is a member of both the Varsity Sailing Team and Women’s Soccer Team at St. Mary’s. Julia has grown up sailing every summer at Lavallette Yacht Club and has been a coach at Metedeconk River Yacht Club for the past five years. She feels very connected to the Barnegat Bay and is passionate about the environmental issues associated with the region. Through her internship with Save Barnegat Bay, Julia is hoping to further her education in environmental studies, as well as gain valuable experience working with a non-profit.

Gianna is a sophomore at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Her passion for the natural world, scientific curiosity, and interest in working to prevent the climate crisis has led her to study Geology. In her free time Gianna enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and reading. She grew up visiting the beach and works in Seaside Park and Lavallette in the summer. By interning with Save Barnegat Bay Gianna is excited to gain scientific experience and to raise awareness on how our choices impact our environment and ecosystems.

Ben is eager to contribute his video production and editing skills to promote Save Barnegat Bay. He looks forward to highlighting ecological activism in an interesting and engaging way. Ben is a fall intern and a senior at WW-P High School North where he is currently taking an AP Environmental course.

Carly graduated from Stockton University in 2019 with a degree in anthropology. After a year break from school, she has returned to Stockton University to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. Carly has always been interested in the natural world, which is why she has always been passionate about the social and natural sciences. She has known since childhood that she wanted to pursue a science degree. Carly has lived in Ocean County her whole life and is looking forward to researching sustainable crabbing this fall. She is excited to share this research which will further educate people on conservation efforts.

Leah is finishing up her junior year at Bucknell University where she is pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering. Growing up spending the summers in Lavallette, NJ is what sparked her interest in water, ecosystems, and sustainability. From a young age, she would observe water quality and visible ecosystems while boating or swimming. She hopes to one day take her passion for the environment and turn it into a career where she can study the human environmental impact, or water pollutants, and come up with sustainable solutions.  Outside of her studies, Leah has a passion for fitness, skiing, hiking, and paddle boarding.

Frankie is a 15 year old high school student at Toms River High School East where she participates in the STEAM program. She is enrolled in the environmental sustainability branch where she learns and studies environmental issues while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Frankie has two sisters and enjoys spending time with friends and family. Frankie’s hobbies include art, music, fashion, anime, and outdoor activities. She hopes to one day study abroad and dedicate her career to making a positive impact on the environment.