Peer Q&A: Learning, Living, and Researching at BML

What’s it really like to live and study at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory?

In this Peer Q&A, Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning major Toby Jacob and Marine & Coastal Science major Mikayla Leyson share what surprised them most, what challenged them, and what they gained from studying at the coast. From DNA extractions and fish embryos to tidepools, dorm life, and late-night stargazing, their stories capture both the rigor and the close-knit community that define the BML experience.

Whether you’re a marine science major or simply curious about hands-on, field-based learning, their advice is clear: bring curiosity, be ready to work hard, and take full advantage of the opportunity to live and learn somewhere extraordinary.

Interested in applying or learning more?

• Learn about Summer Sessions at BML
• Explore Fall Marine Ecology at BML and in Davis
• View housing, dining, and logistics information
• Find details about scholarships and financial aid
• Connect with a BML Peer Advisor

Peer Q&A: Toby Jacob

Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning ’26

Why did you decide to spend Fall Quarter at BML?

I’ve always loved the California Coast and the opportunity to live and study in Bodega was really exciting. I’ve really enjoyed my previous field work experiences and so I felt ready to push myself in an area I hadn’t explored before and to see how my previous skills translated. I also really enjoy hands-on learning so this felt like a great way to combine my love for science with my love for the outdoors! 

What was the most unexpected skill you left with?

Across the quarter I feel like I picked up so many fun, and unexpected skills. What comes to mind first is definitely working with DNA extractions and getting to learn about PCR. I’ve also spent a lot of time working with fish embryos, so I’ve gotten pretty good at counting, sorting, and imaging them. It wasn’t a skill I was expecting but it’s definitely come in handy as I continue my research.

What stood out most about being at BML?

What stood out most was getting to live and work in such a dynamic research system. It’s pretty incredible to be surrounded by the environment you’re learning about. I got to walk through the sand dunes in the morning on my way to the lab, eat lunch by the tidepools, and then watch the sunset by the estuary. It really put everything into perspective for me, and I feel I left with a much greater appreciation for our ocean as well as how connected to the planet we really are.

What was the hardest part?

As beautiful as BML is, it was definitely hard being so far away from my community and friends. That and the spiders in the dorm hallways…. But honestly, once I figured out how to be proactive about making space for myself and how to fill my time, it got a lot easier. It was so easy to just go outside and just enjoy nature, and I found that really grounding. There was also a great sense of camaraderie between the other Fall Cohort students, the grad students, and the professors because we were all going through it at the same time. I definitely always had people I could talk to, and we could commiserate about the spiders together. 

What’s the most important thing to bring with you?

Curiosity! You don’t need to have everything figured out or come in with a ton of experience. Being willing to ask questions, try new things, and being okay with being wrong sometimes is way more important. I was always trying to do my best impression of a sea sponge, just soaking everything up! Everyone I was working and studying with was so smart and I learned an incredible amount by just being in the room and being willing to speak up when I was confused.

And maybe some extra pairs of socks…. Working near the ocean means wet shoes all the time! 

Would you recommend BML to students outside marine science?

Absolutely. I’m not an MCS major, and I’m not going to become one, but the skills I brought from geology, GIS, and policy were way more transferable than I expected. I think oftentimes it's really easy for people to feel like they aren’t smart enough to try working in the STEM fields. But if you’re interested and motivated, I think people would be surprised by how successful they can be in new environments, I know I was! Even if you don’t plan on staying in the sciences or if your passions end up leading you somewhere else, spending any amount of time at BML will be a great experience.

Peer Q&A: Mikayla Leyson

Marine & Coastal Science major, Peer Advisor for BML Undergraduate Programs

What first drew you to summer sessions at BML?

When I applied to UC Davis, I already knew marine and coastal science was the field I wanted to go into. Then I heard there was a summer program where you basically live at a marine lab and do hands-on research the whole time, and I was like, wait — that’s amazing.

We’re pretty landlocked in Davis, so it felt like a chance to get out there, see what this field is really like, and actually connect with professors one-on-one in a way that’s harder on campus.

What surprised you once you got there?

I expected the workload to be intense — and it was — but I didn’t expect the environment to feel so casual and close-knit. 

We’d hang out in the library drawing together, crash our instructors’ office hours just to talk, and watch deer outside. I didn’t realize it would feel like such a small community until I experienced it myself. 

What questions do students ask you most as a peer advisor?

People frequently ask what it’s like to live there. What’s the housing and food like? How do you commute? 

If you choose to stay in housing, you’ll dorm with a roommate. If you know anyone who’s taking classes during the same session, you can request a roommate. Otherwise, you’ll be paired randomly based on preferences. 

The food is similar to dining hall food on campus, I’d say. The options are more limited because the class sizes aren’t super large, but they make accommodations if you have dietary restrictions. They serve breakfast and dinner daily, and you pack your own lunches with the food they provide. You can also make meal requests! 

BML housing is about a mile away from the lab. You can walk, bike, or drive to campus. I carpooled with my classmates pretty frequently. 

Most importantly, you’ll be living with your classmates for six weeks! You have a lot of opportunities to do stuff together during down-time, so take advantage of that. 

Are there misconceptions about studying at a field site like BML?

I’m speaking from personal experience, but my biggest misconception was the cost of attendance, that studying at BML was too expensive. 

Students may understandably be put off by tuition and housing fees, but there are scholarships to help cover housing costs, and that support makes a huge difference. There’s also the regular financial aid available through UC Davis. That’s something I really want students to know; I know I wouldn’t have been able to attend without a scholarship. 

What feels most different about learning at BML compared to Davis?

It’s much more self-directed. Especially in Summer Session I, once you get into the research-heavy part, it’s like the training wheels come off.

You’re trusted to manage your own time, follow your interests, and take ownership of your work. It’s less structured than a teaching lab, but that freedom is what makes it such a valuable experience. You get to experience marine research for yourself! 

What kind of student tends to thrive at BML?

Students who are passionate and genuinely interested in the work. The workload is challenging, but if you care about what you’re doing, it’s incredibly rewarding. You’re also around your peers all the time, so students who are open to collaboration and communication may have a better experience than those who aren’t. 

One piece of advice for someone considering applying?

Be ready to work hard, but don’t let that scare you. The effort you put in is exactly what you get back. 

Once again, the learning environment out at BML is different from how it is on campus. You’ll be doing work in the field and lab, or even conducting your own research, something that many students don’t get the opportunity to do before BML. It’ll be challenging, maybe even intimidating at first! Six weeks is a very short time to learn everything a class has to offer. However, your instructors and peers will definitely notice your contributions. 

Work hard and do your best, and you’ll leave BML with a wealth of knowledge and a sense of accomplishment. I met some of my closest friends at BML, learned so much, and left feeling like it was absolutely worth it.

Anything students should know beyond the classroom?

Take time to explore Bodega Bay. Go tide pooling (Pinnacle Gulch is a great spot for this!), walk around the mudflats, visit the beaches up and down the coast, watch the moon rise, and go stargazing. 

Some of my favorite memories weren’t part of class. They were early mornings, long walks, and dragging friends out to see something cool before the day started.