Note: This opportunity is for graduate students only.

The Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) is the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s flagship citizen science initiative, which engages volunteers in conducting shoreline marine debris surveys at self-selected sites around the nation. Two NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries participated in the MDMAP for 5+ years, each providing a nice temporal data set of shoreline marine debris monitoring data. We have 5-year reports from the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) and the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) that we would like to combine and publish. We are seeking a Graduate student intern to take the lead on data analysis and drafting a manuscript to submit to a peer-reviewed journal.

Opportunities and Expected Outcomes:
– Author on a peer-reviewed publication based on analysis of two 5-year marine debris monitoring data sets
– Hone and improve data analysis skills.
– Opportunity to get in the field and participate in marine debris monitoring surveys.
– The student will learn about managing a citizen science effort, and how best to message results and project outcomes to participants.
– Potential public speaking engagements.
– Networking with MDMAP partner organizations.
– Exposure and familiarity with working with multiple NOAA offices.

Guidance and Supervision: The graduate student will work closely with the the MDP Chief Scientist and Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project leads. The student will participate in MDP staff meetings and have an opportunity to learn about other MDP initiatives and efforts.