Lauren Nickerson sets her sails for Sargasso Sea research as part of her SEA Semester

Lauren Nickerson (’14), a marine sciences major with a concentration in marine biology, is enrolled in SEA Semester:  Marine Biodiversity & Conservation (MBC), a study-abroad program offered through Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.  Nickerson already completed a five-week shore component at SEA’s Woods Hole campus for which she earned academic credit for courses in biological oceanography, nautical science, and marine policy and conservation.

MBC is a new program funded in part by the National Science Foundation.  Its specific goal is the study of biodiversity and the development of conservation recommendations for the Sargasso Sea area.

During the on shore component, Nickerson developed a research project to study and assess biodiversity.  Her study will be completed aboard SEA’s 134-foot sailing school vessel, the Corwith Cramer, one of the most sophisticated research-equipped vessels under sail in the nation.  During the 3,000 nautical mile journey, which will span four weeks, Nickerson will collect data for her research project as well as serve as a member of the vessel crew responsible for sail handling, plotting course using celestial navigation, and, as Junior Watch Officer, learning to take command of the ship during watch.

Upon return to Woods Hole, Nickerson and her shipmates, who hail from colleges and universities throughout the U.S., will present their research and recommendations for the Sargasso Sea to science and policy experts in the marine field.

51С»Æ³µ the University of 51С»Æ³µ

The University of 51С»Æ³µ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.