Emma Beaver
Lead Intern
Emma graduated from the University of Redlands in Southern California in 2023, with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Health, Medicine, and Society. Emma’s degree was an interdisciplinary look at sustainability and environmental health, studying vulnerable coastal communities and environmental resilience. This led her to an environmental educator role in Costa Rica and a marine conservation internship with San Diego Coastkeeper in California. These opportunities pushed Emma to seek connection with the coast and understand what it takes to protect our natural world.
She has followed along with the Shark Lab’s efforts for years, and now looks forward to developing her knowledge and experience in tropical marine biology. Emma hopes to pursue a master’s degree within the coming years, but is now focused on Bimini and all it has to offer.
Pina Hentschel
Intern & Masters Student
Pina was born and raised in Nuremberg, Germany. Her fascination with nature, especially water, led her to earn a Bachelor's degree in Geoecology from the University of Bayreuth. Inspired by an internship with a research group focused on invasive marine species, she is now pursuing a Master’s in Biological Oceanography at GEOMAR – Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, where she is part of the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group.
Her passion for behavioral and movement ecology, combined with some thorough online research, connected her to the Shark Lab, where she is currently analyzing acoustic telemetry data on great hammerhead sharks for her master’s thesis. Beyond her academic pursuits, Pina is dedicated to science communication and environmental education, spending her summers working at different ocean schools.
Naeem Valiani
Intern
The ocean and its habitants have always been an inspiration for Naeem to keep learning. Growing up in the coastal Canadian city of Vancouver and earning a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of British Columbia, Naeem’s appreciation for all marine animals has grown tremendously from a childhood fascination to life passion.
Naeem gained practical experience in marine mammal rehabilitation, husbandry care, and enrichment training as both a practicum student and employee at the Vancouver Aquarium and its associated Marine Mammal Rescue Centre. This experience broadened his understanding of marine conservation and the role education plays in helping the public understand the importance of marine ecosystems.
Naeem’s experience and desire in directly helping marine conservation led him to pursue further specialization in his favourite animal—sharks, where he took an introductory course on shark field research skills at Field School in Miami.
For years, Naeem has intently followed the work of the Bimini Biological Field Station with a shared passion for shark conservation and education. He has been eager to assist with their mission as an intern. Naeem hopes to use the knowledge gained from experts in the field to further protect shark species and other marine organisms, through both research and education.
Moana Bullock
Intern
Moana was born in the coastal city of Fort Bragg, California, and before her parents moved to a small inland town, she was named after the ocean. From a young age, she found magic in the tidepools of Northern California. She became fascinated with the worlds under the surface, often telling her parents her dream job was to be ‘an underwater camera girl’. She always felt a strong personal and cultural connection to the ocean and has dedicated herself to preserving its inhabitants.
Moana continued to pursue her passions at California State University, Monterey Bay, where she participated in undergraduate research and internships, broadening her horizons and honing her skills before earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science in 2024. Throughout her scientific pursuits, Moana has aimed to advance ocean literacy and promote environmental stewardship in coastal communities, including demystifying the fears regarding some of the ocean’s largest predators.
The Shark Lab’s internship opportunity offered the perfect mixture of Moana’s interests, and she looks forward to developing new skills and collaborating with conservationists with diverse perspectives.
Colie Brook
Intern
Colie was born in the UK, where her love for the ocean began. One of her most cherished memories is collecting driftwood with her grandad, bonding over their shared passion for protecting the ocean and wildlife. Soon after her birth, Colie moved to Southern California, where she was raised along the beautiful California coast. Spending several summers as a lifeguard and scuba diver, her love for the ocean and commitment to its protection grew even stronger.
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Colie knew she wanted to dedicate her life to protecting wildlife, so she graduated from Western Washington University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, with a marine emphasis. During her college internships, Colie discovered the Bimini Shark Lab, where she hopes to further her understanding of marine conservation and shark biology.
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Colie is incredibly excited to work with and encounter the beautiful animals Bimini has to offer. She has also started her own nonprofit to help share the knowledge she has acquired from the lab as well as other positions she has had in the past. With her ultimate goal of fulfilling the promise she made to her grandfather, to protect the biodiversity our world has to offer.
Matthew Polito
Intern
Matt grew up just outside Richmond, Virginia but spent part of his childhood summers down in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Here, his curiosity of the Ocean and it’s inhabitants bloomed. This passion took him to the College of William and Mary, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. After graduating, he moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he worked as an educator at the National Aquarium. In his free time, he volunteered with the Aquarium’s Dolphin Pod, Jellies and Animal Rehabilitation programs.
This past summer, he had the amazing opportunity of attending Field School’s Intro to Shark Research Skills course, which provided hands-on experiences in shark science. As an intern, Matt is excited to gain research skills as well as meet professionals studying these often misunderstood animals. After BBFSF, he is planning on attending graduate school to study how climate change and anthropogenic variables effect marine life.