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| SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT LIFE :: Bodega Marine Lab |
Dive Into Research at UC Davis' Bodega Marine Laboratory!"Getting to know the professors, researchers and graduate students was like finding a new family," says biological sciences major Theresa DiMarco of her experience at UC Davis' Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML). "Bodega gives you the chance to see what life as a graduate student would truly be like," she says. Located on the Sonoma County coast, Bodega Marine Laboratory offers undergraduate residential programs during spring and summer, as well as the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Marine Science. Theresa DiMarco and Beth Lenz are on-campus BML student recruiters, and Lenz seconds DiMarco's enthusiasm. "I absolutely loved my experience at Bodega," Lenz says. "I met wonderful professors who were very approachable, friendly, extremely helpful all around in academics, after college discussions, and were great general conversationalists." While Lenz found her time at Bodega exhilarating, she also discovered the challenges of research. "Research can be frustrating," says Lenz. "Half the quarter is dedicated to an independent research project, and the project itself doesn't always turn out as expected. The lab community is very supportive and understanding; someone is always there to push you through the sticky places." Applying to the program is not restricted to a particular major and Lenz encourages students interested in ecology, oceanography, toxicology, physiology, or any other biological sciences field to participate. "It's all around beneficial to your future and helps you discover if you want to do research, grad school, or eliminate the idea entirely and find a new field," Lenz says. DiMarco says she took a tour of the Bodega Marine Lab during an open house and the beautiful setting inspired her to want to experience it as a student and scientist. "The programs are a great way to get a feeling for what it would be like to be a researcher in a marine lab setting, working in the field and in the lab," she says. Before taking courses at Bodega, DiMarco wasn't sure she wanted to pursue research, but her experiences confirmed her desire to continue on a path towards becoming a research scientist. "Through the two courses we took, we were shown how to develop an idea into research, make critical observations and write scientifically. I enjoyed my quarter in Bodega so much that I obtained a position there in the summer and stayed on to assist in active research in the rocky intertidal environment." Ironically Lenz hated the ocean as a child and had no intention of being involved in anything coastal. "I randomly decided to try the BML program just to introduce myself to something new in the field of biology," Lenz says. "I wanted to be involved in a small classroom setting and live somewhere else for a quarter. At the conclusion of the program, I was extremely interested in marine biology and hope to obtain a career in the field." "Applying is so easy, there's no reason why students shouldn't at least consider it," says DiMarco. "From my perspective, there's no other course offered at the undergraduate level that allows students to get such personal contact with professors while providing them with the opportunity to participate in their own research." Again Lenz corroborates DiMarco's opinion. "Bodega is among the best hands-on research programs that UC Davis offers," she says. Students interested in learning more about the program are welcome to contact DiMarco or Lenz |