Smiling person with glasses holding an ID badge, standing by wooden buildings and blue sky

The Weirdest Sensation I’ve Ever Felt

An SRJC-BML Internship Story

by Madeline Kummerle
October 07, 2026

I am an Environmental Science student at Santa Rosa Junior High looking to transfer to Sonoma State in Spring of 2027. I am aiming for a career in conservation and I’m interested in many different fields such as ecology and habitat restoration.

Watercolor and ink illustration of an orange-green oval shaped abalone

During this internship, I worked with Dr. Sara Boles, observing what it takes to set up a large scale scientific experiment. I’ve learned that it takes everything from administrative skills, specialized scientific knowledge, problem solving, mechanical skills and a commitment to physical work. I never expected to learn about seawater plumbing when I went into this internship.

I also learned many skills through the professional development lessons that were provided that will help me with my journey through my bachelor’s degree, applying for positions, presenting scientific knowledge and connecting with other scientists. Just know that I will be ready for an elevator pitch just about anywhere about who I am and what I can do!

So what was the weirdest sensation I’ve ever felt? It was when a red abalone fully suckered onto the palm of my hand with the powerful muscular foot that keeps it stuck to rocks in the ocean, resisting currents and the efforts of predators. Abalone are surprisingly strong!

Two hands holding brown-red and green seaweed over rippling dark water

Another amazing moment of my internship was learning how to ultrasound an abalone. This is a new technique developed by Dr. Boles as a way to safely check the reproductive readiness of an abalone’s gonads. Previously, a lot of risk was involved due

to the previous method of drilling a hole into the shell and abalone having hemolymph, a blood-like fluid that lacks a clotting agent. So this new non-invasive way eliminates a lot of the risk. I learned how to hold the abalone and use the probe to locate the gonad and the heart.

I am very thankful to have participated in this internship and appreciate the learning opportunities that Liyu, Deva , Dr. Sara, the rest of my cohort and the SRJC-BML program provided.