The Wetland and linked-Terrestrial Ecosystems Research (WATER) Laboratory recently welcomed student interns from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) and Far Eastern University (FEU) for an interdisciplinary internship on blue carbon ecosystems, environmental data analysis, and mangrove microbiology. The program provided students with hands-on experience in research, from environmental data analysis to laboratory microbiology techniques.
Philippine Science High School (PSHS):
1. Maria Rodica A. Ranises (Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus)
2. Gillian Ysabelle Natividad (Cagayan Valley Campus)
Far Eastern University (FEU)
1. Kaezelyn Kate Pintucan
2. Sophia Ivory Guiritan
Internship Acitivities
| During the first 10 days, PSHS and FEU interns processed sediment samples from the mangrove forests and seagrass meadows of Palanan, Isabela. They participated in workshops on data analysis using R and spatial mapping with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) before analyzing sediment carbon stocks and comparing them across natural, restored, and recolonized mangrove sites, as well as with published studies. The first phase concluded with group video presentations showcasing their findings. |
| The FEU interns continued for an additional 15 days through a collaborative training program with the Microbial Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatic Systems (METAS) Laboratory. They conducted literature reviews on mangrove microbiology and microbiological methods before performing hands-on laboratory activities, including serial dilution, plate counting, bacterial isolation, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. They successfully isolated and identified five bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas, and compared bacterial abundance among different mangrove sites. |
Final Output
As the culmination of their internship, the FEU interns prepared a scientific manuscript summarizing their research and produced a video presentation highlighting their methods, results, and key findings. The final output of the interns can be accessed through this link:
http://bit.ly/4hMfLce
Bonus Activities
Beyond the laboratory, the interns also had the opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus through a guided birdwatching activity, giving them a greater appreciation of local wildlife and the importance of integrating ecological observations with scientific research.
Through this internship, the students gained valuable experience in environmental research by integrating ecology, bioinformatics, GIS, and microbiological techniques, strengthening their skills in interdisciplinary aquatic ecosystem research.
Photos courtesy of our interns, Maria Rodica A. Ranises, Gillian Ysabelle Natividad, Kaezelyn Kate Pintucan, Sophia Ivory Guiritan
Mangrove Ecology 