The 2013 recipients of the Alf Thompson Memorial Scholarship were 25-year-old Vanielle Rabier and 24 year old Christopher Ferguson, both from Nassau. These students interned for eight weeks at the Bimini Biological Field Station Shark Lab in fall 2013. With opportunities to go shark diving, snorkeling, stingray wrangling and training, as well as to catch juvenile lemon sharks for research and much more, the programme was a great experience for both of them.
Chris reported “My experience at the Bimini Biological Field Station was nothing short of amazing. I was able to really get a taste of the field of marine biology and shark research. I have no doubt in my mind that the skills and experience I’ve received from the Shark Lab will benefit my future as a marine biologist.”
The goal of the scholarship programme is to provide Bahamians with the opportunity to experience hands-on research at the Shark Lab with a focus on marine science. The interns learn various research techniques in the disciplines of population demographics and dynamics, molecular and behavioural ecology, bioenergetics, sensory biology and physiology.
