School to Career - Riverhead Foundation - Senior Marine Biologist


		Plane
		Dry Suit
		Stranding Program Pamphlet
		Aerial Surveys
		Meal Time
		Skin Sample
		Marine Debris Story
		Advice to Students

A marine biologist studies and conducts research on marine life. He or she will maintain a database, including surveys and studies, which have been done to learn more about marine mammals, sea turtles and other underwater life. Some marine biologists also respond to and help marine mammals in distress-- those that have been injured or are on the beach and can't get back into the water.

Robert DiGiovanni is the senior marine biologist for the Riverhead Foundation. He began his career by volunteering with marine mammal and sea turtle rescue programs. Afterwards, Robert took a job as a standing technician and, while employed by the rescue program, obtained his B.S. in Biology. He then continued his career in marine animal rescue and research.

Today, Robert maintains a very busy daily schedule. He heads a staff that begins feeding the many marine mammals early every morning. This includes feeding fish to the seals and recording what they are eating. More than 250 pounds of fish are prepared and packed each day for feeding at the Riverhead facility. Animals that are more seriously ill may require tube feeding. Next, the tanks are cleaned and any necessary maintenance is done.

Frequently, Robert will take to the sky with a professional pilot and fly by plane along the coast of New York counting seals, sea turtles, whales, dolphins and porpoises. The count helps determine the population of these animals for further study and proper care. In the evening, Robert often gives lectures to teach people more about marine mammals and sea turtles.

All of this activity is halted to rescue a marine mammal in distress. If an animal is in trouble, Robert and his team may need to take the animal back to their rescue facility at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation. There they conduct a complete physical examination and determine what type of care is needed.

If you'd like to work in marine animal rescue, Robert suggests working hard in science classes and on your writing and computer skills. It is also doesn't hurt to be familiar with operating small boats and boating equipment. In addition, he is a certified diver, which is a big plus in this field. "You need to be comfortable in and around the water and with marine mammals and sea turtles" adds Robert who also honed mechanical abilities while working in construction and considers these to be an asset to his current position.

To succeed at this kind of job it helps to have a strong interest in the sea and its many inhabitants. It is important to be able to stay calm and cool in challenging, sometimes nerve-wracking situations. It's also extremely important to keep good records and up-to-date information on the many sea mammals that are being cared for at the facility.