Shell museum welcomes summer interns
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel welcomed four interns this summer, thanks to a grant from the Rist Family Foundation.
James Gruber and Megan Pinsker are marine biology education interns. They are working with the museum’s marine biologists and educators to learn about mollusk biology, ecology, biodiversity and teaching methods.
Cloee Burnham and Isabel Robbins are aquarium husbandry interns. They are working with aquarists to learn about marine animal care, aquarium systems, the operation of a public aquarium, and mollusk biology, ecology and biodiversity.
Gruber is studying at Florida Gulf Coast University. He hopes to continue researching mollusks and cnidarians — coral, anemones, jellyfish — in his future career so that he can build awareness of how these species clean the oceans and keep the water beautiful.
Pinsker recently graduated from Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University. Wanting to study mollusks and build a future in protecting them, she enjoys educating visitors that it is the mollusks that have created the shells they have been collecting on beaches.
Burnham is studying at West Liberty University. She is grateful for the opportunity to develop her research skills and feels the internship will help her pursue a future career as a research marine biologist.
Robbins is studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She said the internship is allowing her to deepen her understanding of animal husbandry and gain hands-on experience in marine invertebrate care, which will prepare her for a future career in marine biology.
Paid internships in marine biology education and animal husbandry are available year-round through the Rist Family Foundation Internship Program, which was established in 2024 by a grant from the Rist Family Foundation.
“The Rist Family Foundation Internship Program has gathered real momentum over the past two years,” Executive Director Sam Ankerson said. “We’re grateful to Brian and Kim Rist for making it possible, and we are delighted by the engagement and growth of these bright and ambitious students.”
For information about the program, visit shellmuseum.org/careers-internships.
To reach BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM, please email