Alumni

Name: Cassie MacDowell
Age: 22 (2023)
Nationality: Caymanian
Current Profession: Mangrove Action Project – Education Manager
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: 7-day Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp (CMEC); 3-6 month Internship (twice!)
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2017 CMEC, 2019 Edu Intern, 2021 Edu Intern.

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? “During my time spent at CCMI’s CMEC program, I gained a greater understanding of the marine world and the significant role we play in supporting and preserving it. When I returned in 2019 for my first internship with them, I was able to put what I had learned at CCMI and through other volunteer experiences into action and evolve from student to teacher. The education internship allowed me to gain confidence teaching and presenting to all ages from elementary to university aged students. In 2021 I re-joined the team to assist in post-covid operations and getting the station up and running after a quiet few months due to the pandemic. This time around, I had a much more significant role in the education team. Some of my duties included lesson planning, student coordination and general organization of the programs we were running, which is a big part my current role at MAP.”

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? “One thing I learned at CCMI and have never forgotten is how corals function! The explanation of the symbiotic relationship between the coral and the zooxanthelle has always stuck with me as a fun fact from my time at CCMI.”

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? “I was 16 on my first trip to CCMI, which is a pretty impressionable age. Before we arrived, we were given a packing list and one of the items was “reef safe” sunscreen, shampoo and conditioner. There were outdoor showers that we could use with direct drainage to the sea, and we were taught about the harmful chemicals found in non-reef safe cosmetics. Since then, I have been much more mindful of what products I am using and when I am using them. For example, putting sunscreen on well in advance of entering the water in addition to using natural and biodegradable products.”

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. “Over the years I have definitely made some great memories at CCMI, but one of my favorites would have to be leading a group of students on the dive site “Meadows” in Bloody Bay. We jumped in and right away were greeted by a very friendly and acrobatic eagleray. He stayed with us the whole dive and as we were doing our safety-stop, another one joined the group! The kids loved it and it is still to this day, many dives later, my coolest eagleray interaction!”

Name: Julian Smith
Age: 25 (2023)
Nationality: Caymanian
Current Profession: Sales Clerk at Divers Supply
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC)
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2013

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? “I’ve always loved the ocean and going to CCMI taught me a lot about the ocean.”

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? “I learned how to educate other with the knowledge of how we can keep the marine life safe and healthy.”

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? “CCMI started my career in the diving industry for the past 7 years. Everyday I get to speak with a lot of tourists about our marine life and what they can or cannot do to keep the environment safe.”

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. “My favorite memory with CCMI is doing the coral reef research and diving at bloody bay wall.”

You can contact Julian to learn more about CCMI’s Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC) here: Julian.smith888@icloud.com or call at +1-345-928-0228

Name: Ellen Hudson
Age: 28 (2023)
Nationality: United States of America
Current Profession: Reef Restoration Associate, Coral Restoration Foundation
School & Major: Rutgers University, Bachelor’s of Science in Directed Marine Sciences
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: 3-week Coral Ecology Internship through Rutgers University
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2016

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? “At CCMI I learned core scientific techniques that I still use at my current job. This involved laying transects and analyzing quadrats on the reef to collect bleaching and disease data, taking that data back to the lab/office to organize it into a presentable matter, and I learned how to organize scientific projects among a group of other students. This experience was my first-time diving for scientific purposes and it made me a MUCH better diver.”

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? “CCMI was where I was first introduced to a coral nursery and it is a memory that I will never forget. I always knew that I wanted to work with corals, and being able to visit their nursery and even outplant my first corals was truly a life changing experience for me. It pushed me to continue to pursue coral ecology, even though I knew it was a competitive field, and led me to the job I have now (and love).”

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? “At CCMI, there were lots of opportunities for us to help out the other researches at the station working on their own research/ thesis projects. Because of this, I had many opportunities to expose myself to other research that was happening and was able to gain more experience in different areas. This is still something I do at my current job. Working in the restoration department at CRF, we mostly deal with the maintenance of our coral nurseries and outplanting those corals to different reefs throughout the Keys, but whenever an opportunity arises in the science department or education department that will further build my skillset I try to take advantage of it and get involved.”

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. “I have so many amazing memories from my time at CCMI. My favorite memory was one I already touched on, which was my first time in the coral nursery. However, another favorite of mine was simply being able to dive every day at the various reefs around CCMI and seeing all of the live coral coverage. Seeing that amount of live coral was something I had never seen in my life before and it was truly beautiful. I also became close with everyone else that was part of my study abroad group and loved all of the “after work” activities we would do (dodgeball on the tennis courts, the Little Cayman scavenger hunt, biking to the bar for trivia night, too many to choose from!)”

You can contact Ellen to learn more about her CCMI Internship experience here: ellen@coralrestoration.org

Name: Jesse Jackson
Age: 23 (2023)
Nationality: Caymanian
Current Profession: Student
School & Major: Masters of Science in Advanced Naval Architecture at University of Strathclyde
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: 7-day Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp (CMEC); Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC); 5-day Work Placement Programme; 3-day Marine Ecology Course (MEC)
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2011, 2015 , 2016 , 2017

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? “Doing a lot of boat dive and sitting next to Lowell every time and watching him run the boat, from very first time I went, I saw a great captain and how to takes care and handle a boat and the people on board. As now I am striving to get my Yacht Master to be able to captain boats of all size around the world.”

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? “On of the many things I learned and I never forget was the difference between venomous and poisonous, through the research on the lionfish.”

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? “I personal learnt how import our coral are and how fragile they can be, as even a few degree of water temperature change can cause a lot of stress on the coral . Every time I went to CCMI they constantly stressed how import it is to make sure when diving or snorkeling your fins don’t accidently hit the coral with the tip as this can may cause extensive damage to the coral. When ever I am diving or snorkeling now I am conscious aware of where my fin tips are at all time.”

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. “There are so many amazing memory’s its hard to pick one. But When I was in yr 10 of high school I did a week of work experience with CCMI. There was not much happening that week as it was very wind and ruff so no water actives happened. Additional there was only 4 of us at the sight at that time. However one my most favorite memory was working with Lowell, I truly enjoyed building some steps that lead to the beach next to the kitchen with Lowell and also collecting bamboo at sunset to then fix up the outside shower the next morning as well as maintaining all the boat and ensure banana wind anchors were hold every morning and night.”

You can contact Jesse to learn more about ALL of his CCMI experience’s here: jessejackson1@live.com

Name: Jasmine Lambert-Wragg
Age: 19 (2023)
Nationality: Caymanian
Current Profession: Student
School & Major: Bachelor’s of Science – Biology, Bath Spa University
Programme (s) completed at CCMI:  3-day Marine Ecology Course & 3-mo Marine Education Internship
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2016 & 2022

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? It helped me develop my scientific writing skills, which has already been incredibly useful to me during my first semester of University. Also, the CCMI programme gave me the opportunity to develop my communication and presentation skills, again, incredibly useful for university.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? Some skills that I learned while at CCMI were: How to cull a lionfish, how to drive a boat (sort of), how to communicate with audiences of different ages, and how to prepare and organize logistics for a visiting group of students (again, of varying ages).

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? Yes, I do many things differently now thanks to what I learned at CCMI, such as: How I write a scientific paper; How to communicate with co-workers from many different nationalities and backgrounds; How to better prepare myself for my workday or workweek the day prior and to place my assignments in order of importance.

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. Eating Ms. Em’s fried chicken at lunch (Save me a piece!) and talking with the other staff about what they did that day. Also creating creatures for the staff based on their favorite sea creatures.

And of course, all the diving with the education team, both for work and for fun!

You can contact Jasmine to learn more about CCMI’s Internships here: jaslambert03@outlook.com

Name: Brian Griffiths
Age: 28 (2023)
Nationality: United States of America
Current Profession: Professor at Georgetown University (The Earth Commons)
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: REU Program (2015) and Marine Education Intern (2016)
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2015 & 2016

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? CCMI taught me countless skills, from conducting fieldwork in a completely new environment to engaging and communicating with diverse teams. I discovered a passion for conservation and marine science that certainly directly contributed to entering and completing a Ph.D. program and pursuing conservation research as a career. However, the main thing CCMI taught me was that I had the ability to make observations in the field which were new and exciting, then translate those observations into scientific results and communication. The confidence and skills in scientific inquiry that the experience gave me continue to fuel my research as a conservation scientist.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? I learned the power of community at CCMI. I had never been in a space where such a dedicated group of passionate individuals put their minds and their skills to solving environmental challenges day in and day out. Those individuals created a community that was a model for the rest of the island, and I saw that that community had the power to conserve the local ecosystem. I found myself swept up in the work because of that community – waking early to get into the lab or fill tanks, culling and dissecting lionfish after work hours, simply because I was starved to learn more. Now, I do community-based work in other regions of the world, but I bring that energy and enthusiasm to every pursuit.

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? Well, I came to CCMI an engineer and left a conservationist. I would say that that’s quite different. On a professional note, I no longer assume that everything is known. When I am doing my work, I slow down a bit and look critically at relationships in the ecosystem, or between humans and the ecosystem, that I would previously have assumed that someone has already described.

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. At sunset on my birthday in 2015, we went to my favorite dive site – though I had never been there at the time, so it wasn’t my favorite yet: Cascades. The current was absolutely ripping, as it often is at Cascades, but the visibility was fantastic so the four of us set out to do a drift dive. As I reached the sand, I was immediately struck by the majesty of the reef formations. I felt like I was standing in a city of coral with sand chutes for streets. As I hovered between the enormous skyscraper-like reefs, the current started to push me fast towards the reef. I immediately rotated to adjust, but I soon realized that I wasn’t going to be pushed into the reef – the current was curving along those formations, just like wind through a city street. I hovered with that current, moving through those sandy streets like a leaf in the breeze, as fish and a trio of eagle rays flew past. My awe meant that I sucked air down quite quickly, but it was the most incredible thing I had ever experienced. I didn’t make a single valuable observation that dive, or shoot a single lionfish, but what a phenomenal birthday. I’ll never forget it.

You can contact Brian to learn more about his REU experience and Marine Education Internship here: Brian.Griffiths@georgetown.edu

Name: Hayley Roulstone
Age: 25 (2023)
Nationality: Caymanian/Canadian
Current Profession: Policy Analyst at Kermode Consulting
School & Major: Master of Arts in Environment, Development and Policy; Bachelor of Arts in Geography and International Development
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: Rutgers Internship
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2018

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? The Marine Biology internship was an excellent introduction to marine biology-based careers. I enjoyed forming new international, professional relationships with my colleagues and the global marine biologist community. CCMI is a hub for environmental career development, especially for those interested in ocean systems. In addition to making life-long friendships, I accumulated invaluable knowledge of Caribbean coral reefs and their susceptibility to climate change.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? The most impactful lesson I learned at CCMI, which I’m sure many of those that stay on-site can relate to, is what it would be like if we all incorporated more sustainable solutions at home. CCMI uses compostable toilets which are an excellent way to reduce water consumption. Because of CCMI’s remoteness, everyone is confronted with what life could look like if we can no longer rely on fossil fuels. Although the coral reefs around CCMI are some of the healthiest in the world, the impacts of climate change are apparent. The resilient coral reefs in Little Cayman are perfect for observing how little changes can have large impacts on the health of our oceans and I carry that knowledge with me in all of my work. Most of my university research was focused on coastal development, Marine Protected Areas, climate change adaptation and mitigation policies for sea-level rise, as a result of my experiences at CCMI.

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? I had the pleasure of working under the guidance of Dr. Gilman Ouellette, Katie Correia (Ebanks now), Ashly Carabetta, and Maisy Fuller, who all gave me some very helpful advice. They told me to take every opportunity that comes my way and to be confident in my own abilities. Because of them and my wonderful research colleagues, I try to take everything in life as a learning opportunity. I will always cherish the memories I made at CCMI and do my best to advocate for the important work produced by CCMI and my very accomplished research colleagues around the world.

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. Out of the many wonderful memories made at CCMI, my favourite memory was during one of my first days of the internship when my new colleagues and I went snorkelling at the reef in front of the research centre. Although we did not know each other very well yet, we were all silently but mutually in awe of the beautiful marine life before us. As sunset approached, Sally, my colleague, and I spotted some lobsters getting ready to mate under a deep rock. We all gathered around and dove down to observe the large spiny lobsters nested between the corals we were just beginning to learn the names of. It was a very wonderful moment that defined my experience at CCMI as exciting, warm, and collectively empowering.

You can contact Hayley to learn more about her CCMI experience with the Rutgers Internship here: hayleyroulstone@gmail.com

Name: Harrison M. Albert
Age: 28 (2023)
Nationality: United States of America
Current Profession: Student
School & Major: PhD Candidate at Grand Canyon University
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: 3 week Rutgers Internship
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2016

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? CCMI’s program gave me the reason I needed to get scuba certified! Without CCMI’s scientific diving program or the incentive to achieve my SCUBA certifications to enroll, I would not have been given so many opportunities in my career thus far which heavily involve that skillset.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? While at CCMI, I discovered my love for coral and creature identification. To this day, I have never forgotten the coral species that I learned while at CCMI.

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? Due of the opportunities and experiences I was given at CCMI, I changed my career path, having been inspired TO inspire the next generation of ocean ambassadors!

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. My overall favorite memory of my time at CCMI is being able to live and work at a truly remote research station along with my fellow students and the live-in education and research staff.

You can contact Harrison to learn more about his CCMI experience with the Rutgers Internship here: Harrison.albert13@gmail.com

Name: Callie Shushanik Joseph
Age: 17 (2023)
Nationality: Caymanian
Current Profession: Student
School & Major: Cayman International School
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2021

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? Being at CCMI further expanded and increased my love and appreciation for the endemic wildlife of the Cayman Islands and wider Caribbean. It furthered my passion for wildlife and helped direct me to my (hopeful!) future career in zoology.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? There were many things! I was astounded by the lack of light pollution and pristine night skies, the sheer natural biodiversity, both in terms of richness and composition of wildlife, as well as the comfort I received spending the week with like-minded, passionate individuals.

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? CCMI has taught me a kind of determination to experience Cayman’s tidal and coastal zones, as well as a heightened respect and appreciation of said areas. I have become more environmentally conscious and insightful as a result of my time at CCMI. I’m also better at clearing my ears when I freedive!

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. The talent show and bonfire were super fun! I remember on my third day I snuck a hermit crab into my friend’s bed, also winning the raft race!

You can contact Callie to learn more about her CCMI experience with our summer camp here: Callie.Joseph@cis.ky

Name: Jake Zona
Age: 25 (2023)
Nationality: United States of America
Current Profession: Graduate Student
School & Major: Biology, University of Southern Mississippi
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: University Study Abroad with Saginaw Valley State University
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2019

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? This study abroad program through CCMI granted me experience with the collection of biological data in the field and helped inspire me to pursue a career in conservation.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? How beautiful, diverse, and productive ecosystems are when we work to lessen the impact of human disturbances.

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? I’m more mindful of the effects that products have on my skin (sunscreen, insect repellent, and soaps) AND the effects those products can also have on the other living things in the water or in nature.

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. Helping to excavate a hatched loggerhead sea turtle nest with a few remaining hatchlings in it and watching them pull themselves across the beach and out into the waves.

You can contact Jake to learn more about his study abroad experience with CCMI here: jacob.zona@usm.edu

Name: Sarah Yerrace
Age: 25 (2023)
Nationality: United States of America
Current Profession: Master’s Student
School & Major: School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington
Programme (s) completed at CCMI: 2-week Internship – Reef Research Experience
Year programme was completed at CCMI: 2017

How did the CCMI programme you completed help you develop professionally and/or personally? CCMI’s two-week internship through the ‘Reef Research Experience’ was my first time in the Caribbean and first experience with scientific diving. During this program, I completed enough dives to meet the prerequisites to take the AAUS scientific diving course at the University of Washington. I was able to practice underwater scientific methods in warm, clear, Caribbean water before using scientific methods in the cold, but gorgeous, waters of the San Juan Islands.

What is something you learned while at CCMI that you have never forgotten? Connections and friendships can be found everywhere; And these connections and united actions are going to be critical to humanities future.

Is there something that you do differently now, because of what you learned at CCMI? I try to think globally as often as I can and remember that even small actions can have a domino effect into big changes.

Please share with us a favourite memory of your time at CCMI. There were a few days with really heavy winds while I was at CCMI. Some days it just meant rough waves but other days meant we couldn’t dive or we had to go to the south shore. One day, during a surface interval, the winds were going and everyone was freezing after getting out of the water. We all huddled up in the bow of the boat trying to stay warm and out of the wind. But we were still laughing and having a great time while huddling together like penguins. We were all good friends by this point in our internship.

Our check out dive was also the first time I saw sharks in the wild. It was incredible, I will always remember that!

You can contact Sarah to hear more about her internship experience with CCMI on LinkedIn.