For 10 years following a century-long relationship, an official partnership between the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and the University of Chicago has flourished. The laboratory complex, in Woods Hole, Mass., provides students with opportunities to get hands-on experiences with biological science through field and lab work.
One such opportunity can be found in the MBL’s annual Spring Quarter program, during which students complete coursework with almost 1-on-1 mentorship from faculty members, develop independent research and learn about experiment design.
Over the course of the quarter, students develop several transferable skills, including research presentation, scientific communication and a keen attention to detail.
The application for MBL Spring Quarter is open on a rolling basis until Jan. 1, 2024, and can be found here. MBL is open to all students in the College committed to learning more about the field of marine biology.
Assoc. Prof. Jocelyn Malamy, who is also the Collegiate Master of the Biological Sciences Division, emphasized that no prerequisites are required to participate in MBL’s Spring Quarter. Faculty, she said, meet students at their knowledge levels. A love for learning and a basic understanding of cells and tissues are helpful, but the only true requirement is enthusiasm.
“This is a transformative experience,” Malamy said. “There is only one class at a time, so that every student can immerse themselves in the program, conduct independent research, learn by doing real lab and fieldwork, and foster a close relationship with the faculty. It’s a great way to get out of the classroom and experience the real excitement of being a biologist.”
“It was magical and it was impactful,” said Sarah Weber, a fourth-year, who studied at MBL last spring. “But more than anything, it taught me to get to a whole new level of being a scientist, and how to think like a scientist.”
Carlos Chavez Ramirez, a third-year in the College, added that during his time at the MBL, he enjoyed working with all of the unique animals in the lab, and using an electron microscope during his research on octopus and squid body part regeneration. At the end of the quarter, he was able to publish his research.
UChicago students stand next to the boat they lived on for eight days during the “Biological Oceanography” excursion.
(Courtesy of the Marine Biological Laboratory)
Chavez Ramirez said his favorite part of the quarter was going out to sea for eight days as part of MBL’s “Biological Oceanography” excursion, led by the Sea Education Association. Over the course of a week on the open ocean, students study marine life and learn sailing and sampling techniques.
Overall, Chavez Ramirez said he found the program insightful, and furthered his interest in studying marine organisms. He also developed several new skills while assimilating to a new environment and making unique memories.
A typical day during MBL Spring features classes in the morning, followed by hands-on lab work in the afternoons, then flexible time in the evenings, so students have time to develop their own research questions and have fun.
This “flexible time” allows the students to focus on diving into subjects about which they are passionate. They can also spend time outside, relax by the beach and develop traditions together.
For example, after each student presentation, the entire cohort would celebrate by the beach, which fourth-year student Helena Mandeville referred to as “our place.”
“The name is deceptive in that the MBL is not just another laboratory. It is a community,” she said.
