Summer Research Internships

• Summary: This project investigates the relationship between living and dead-shell molluscan communities in shallow rocky reefs along the Southern California coast. Using SCUBA and intertidal surveys, students will help assess how accurately dead assemblages represent modern species composition. The results will inform conservation paleobiology and support long-term management of coastal ecosystems.
• Graduate Student Mentor: Priyanka Soni, Ph.D. Candidate USC Earth Sciences
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Bottjer
• Requirements: Active AAUS Certified Diver status
• Project Location: WMSC, Natural History Museum, and UPC

• Summary: This study aims to determine how the persistence of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, forests drive variation in the trophic interactions of predatory fish with distinct feeding habits and the community composition of reef fishes. To investigate this, students will help collect three species of fish from sites with varying kelp persistence and abundance to obtain various internal structures and analyze their diets; conduct environmental surveys to understand prey availability, variation in the fish community, and base information about the fish collection sites.
• Graduate Student Mentor: Kara Stella, M.S. Candidate CSUN Biology
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mark Steele, CSUN Biology
• Requirements: Active AAUS Certified Diver certification is preferred but not required. The position will primarily involve laboratory work, with potential opportunities for diving.
• Location: WMSC

• Summary: The Schwartzman lab studies the microscopic life stages of giant kelp and their associations with microbes. Our project this summer involves deploying environmental sensors to measure temperature and light in the kelp forests around Catalina Island to help us understand the conditions that the microscopic stages of kelp, called gametophytes, experience in the field. This project will involve diving to deploy and retrieve the sensors, as well as learning to analyze time series data. We are looking for a student with AAUS certification. Please note that prospective applicants will be also participate in the project from the Steele lab (CSUN), and will be co-mentored by Dr. Steele and his graduate student, Kara Stella.
• Graduate Student Mentor: Zoey Papka, Ph.D. Student USC Marine Environmental Biology (Co-mentor Kara Stella, M.S. Candidate CSUN Biology)
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julia Schwartzman, USC Marine Environmental Biology
• Requirements: Active AAUS Certified Diver status
• Project Location: WMSC

• Summary: This project investigates the relationship between coastal microbial communities and the microscopic “seed” stage of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. We use a combination of microscopy and high throughput sequencing to characterize the microbial community members and their effects on kelp growth. As part of this project, you will participate in three collections of water from the kelp forest in June and July at WMSC. The remaining time, you will be based at UPC conducting lab experiments and data analysis. Students should have basic biology lab experience, an interest in marine microbial ecology, and be interested in field research. Coursework in topics such as molecular biology, microbiology, ecology, statistics, and data analysis in R preferred, but not required. Field sampling will involve driving a boat to locations around Catalina Island, collecting water samples, and processing them in the lab at WMSC.
• Graduate Student Mentor: Kurt Castro
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julia Schwartzman, USC Marine Environmental Biology
• Requirements: Basic biology lab experience, an interest in marine microbial ecology and field research
• Project Location: WMSC and UPC (hybrid)

• Summary: Marine invertebrates around Catalina Island especially infaunal species remain poorly studied; this project combines SCUBA-based transect surveys with omics approaches such as eDNA to uncover this hidden biodiversity.
• Postdoctoral Mentor: Dr. Ruiqi Li, USC Marine Environmental Biology
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carly Kenkel, USC Marine Environmental Biology
• Requirements: Active AAUS Certified Diver status and some experience with the command line
• Project Location: UPC, with some field work at WMSC

• Applicants must be continuing USC undergraduate students (not graduating in May of their internship year). Priority will be given to USC Dornsife undergraduate students.
• Projects will take place at WMSC, UPC, or a hybrid between the two campuses; housing is only provided at WMSC.

You will need the following information and materials to complete your application:

• Basic contact and academic information
• Your responses to three, short-answer questions (1,000 max characters):
  • How will this internship help you achieve your goals after graduation?
  • Tell us about any relevant research, classroom, and/or internship experiences you have had that prepared you for this opportunity (note, previous experience is not a requirement).
  • Please rank the available 2026 research topics and briefly explain the reasons behind your ranking.
• A STARS report or unofficial transcript
• A resume or CV (2 pages max)
• A professional or academic reference (contact information only)

See the following external resource for tips on crafting a strong application for your research internship.

How to obtain a strong letter of recommendation >>

How to write a strong essay or personal statement >>