In Photos: Biology student's trip to the Florida Keys

During spring break, many Penn State students spent time enriching their education in faraway places or making an impact in communities around the world through a variety of experiential learning opportunities offered through the University. Kaelonnah Darlich, a second-year undergraduate student studying biology, traveled to the Florida Keys as part of BIOL 483, where she conducted hands-on research and gained invaluable fieldwork experience at the Key Large Marine Research Laboratory. 

"Before the trip, I participated in several lab sessions focused on molecular biology and sequencing techniques, which laid a strong foundation for our fieldwork in Key Largo. As part of our course, our class was divided into research teams to explore diverse topics. My group focused on analyzing environmental DNA to investigate the bacterial communities associated with the upside-down jellyfish. This was a valuable hands-on research experience through which I gained practical skills, lasting friendships, and a deeper understanding of marine science. The course reaffirmed my goal of pursuing a Ph.D. in marine biology, fostering a greater appreciation for the ecosystems I hope to study and protect," Darlich said.