For Amy Martin, the journey through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Aeronautical Science program has been defined by a willingness to embrace every opportunity both inside and outside the classroom.

That openness led her to a coveted research internship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she worked alongside industry professionals to apply classroom lessons to real-world challenges.

From Aviation to the Ocean

Although Amy is pursuing a degree in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) at Embry‑Riddle, she has always had a deep love for marine science. “I’ve been passionate about it since eighth grade,” she said. “This opportunity gave me tangible experience I could put toward a future career in marine science while still building on my aviation studies.”

Her coursework at Embry‑Riddle provided unexpected crossovers. Nautical navigation and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping during the mission reminded her of aviation’s reliance on charts and data. Crew resource management and communication skills from her classes helped her adapt quickly to life on a ship with 40 strangers.

Life Aboard the Oregon II

The Oregon II is a 170-foot trawling ship that has been operating since the 1960s. With three decks, including state rooms, labs, a galley and the bridge, it served as both workplace and home for Amy and her fellow crewmates.

During the mission, the crew conducted bottom trawls to study groundfish species, bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates that are critical to understanding the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. The work was repetitive but rewarding — sorting through hundreds of fish by hand, measuring them, identifying their species and logging the results into NOAA’s database.

Amy also observed the process of tagging sea turtles and helped in measuring small sharks when they were caught in the nets, following strict procedures to ensure the animals’ safety. “It was incredible to be part of that,” she said. “Those moments stick with you.”

The schedule was grueling — 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, but Amy found strength in the challenge. “It really expanded my capacity,” she said. “I learned a lot about myself and how to push past limits I thought I had.”

Support and Mentorship

Faculty support played a key role in Amy’s journey. Dr. Ryan Wallace connected her with a previous NOAA professional, Darren Goodbar, who shared internship opportunities and advice. Other professors, like Dr. Kevin Atkins, encouraged her to bridge her aviation studies with marine applications.

Dr. Wallace, professor of Aeronautical Science, emphasized the importance of these types of opportunities for students, “Immersive experiences provide students with a practical insight into the rigors of the industry. They allow students to connect lessons learned in the classroom to how they are applied in practice. Finally, research internships, like NOAA, highlight the challenges of conducting real-world scientific inquiry, where sampling is complex, data is imperfect and conclusions are often complex and nuanced.”

Growth Beyond the Classroom

The NOAA internship wasn’t just about data collection. It was also learning to thrive in unpredictable conditions, manage expectations and build resilience.

“If you step outside your comfort zone, you grow in ways you don’t expect. But you have to go in without expectations or you risk being disappointed. Flexibility is everything.”

She hopes to combine her UAS expertise with her passion for marine science by flying drones for NOAA in the future. She is already in classes with faculty who specialize in UAS applications for wildlife monitoring, and she’s eager to explore that path further.

Her advice to fellow students: step outside your degree program and comfort zone. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” she admitted. “But you grow so much. If you go in with a clear goal, the experience can change you.”

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