Catalina Geronimo

With two, short weeks of the Biodiversity program left...

posted July 20, 2016

With two, short weeks of the Biodiversity program left, it brings me a bit of sadness and joy as for this internship has been rollercoaster that only goes up and further into the realm of science. The root of sadness is the close friendship and bond that my peers and I have created with one another as we continue to coalesce into passion-driven students. This internship truly provided me extensive knowledge that scattered my conventional idealism toward evolution, taxonomy, and many others. Knowing I have learned so much about earth science within just five weeks boggles my mind as for it stretches my intellectual knowledge.

Field-experience, lectures, discussion, and interaction have become key aspects to this internship as for they are my fundamental pillars to fully grasping the purpose of this internship. About a week ago, the Biodiversity group went to Pinnacles National Park to be submerged to analyzing the Salinas landscape, identifying rock types, and examining six-million-year-old fossils. Hiking up to the elevation of 1,100 ft, we got to see the faults that exist in the Salinas county, which can be seen through the deep crevice of the land. On the way down the hike, I sprained my ankle with less than a mile left of the hike (I know I am extremely clumsy). Everyone was extremely helpful to help me down the mountain that resulted in an easy recovery of my right ankle; I am greatly thankful toward my caring peers and supervisors.

The Biodiversity internship has been whimsical...

posted June 28, 2016

The Biodiversity internship has been whimsical, eye-opening experience due to the continuous stream of fundamental knowledge and skill learned daily. Attending this particular internship was propelled by my curiosity to obtain new scientific-based skills and understand the full spectrum of science.

Within the small span of two weeks, I was able to obtain skills—looking at others’ perspective and being open to explore deeper to scientific status quo—that can be extrapolated to other areas of science, which pave the way to exploring the necessity of science and scientific inquires. Furthermore, each day is packed with untapped knowledge through essays and a wild variety of lectures that constantly shock me to the vast unknown, which is mine for the taking. On a daily basis, we contribute inquires and ideas through discussion that enables us to get a better grasp of evolution in the perspective of paleontology. We have been focused on nematodes this summer as we collect data of its lengths.

I have been engaged in many activities that pertain to furthering my understanding of causes of shifting sizes of organisms—collecting soil sample, analyzing graphs and paleontological essays, and observing sediment beds. We collected a variety of soil samples from different areas in the Stanford campus to see the nematodes in their habitat. Sadly, our sample from the Papa Guinea Sculpture Garden did not have any nematodes, but it had other microorganisms swimming around the petri dish. Other samples had plenty of nematodes, so I was able to witness the characteristics of that particular nematode. Also, we went to Capitola to observe the wide variety of rocks and sediment layering at the beach. The idea that we have the ability to get a glimpse of history through different layering of soil and preservation of fossil is bewildering. This internship unlocks doors that I never knew existed, which constantly thrills me to come to class and engage in essential inquires.