About the Summer Internship Program

Application

The 2025 Summer Internship Program Application is now available. 

All applications must include the following materials:

• Fill out and submit an Application Form

More information can be found on the How to Apply Page.

Eligibility

This internship is open to US citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled as undergraduates in colleges and universities in the United States.

Applicants who have graduated in the past two years are also eligible to apply (graduation date of May 2023 or later).

Stipend and Boarding

Each intern will receive $600 per week for a total of 10 weeks (US$6,000 total). Limited on-site housing is available.

To discuss housing arrangements, please contact PEARL-Internship@morgan.edu for additional information.

Internship Advisor

Accepted interns will be working under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The advisor will direct interns in their daily work and schedule and provide guidance throughout the project. To choose an advisor, please review the advisors listed below. Applicants are encouraged to contact one or more faculty from the PEARL prior to submitting an application to discuss their research interests to ensure compatibility.

Potential Faculty Advisors:

• Dr. Chunlei Fan - Professor
  • Research Interests:
    • • Biological oceanography
      • Coastal ecosystem processes and dynamics
      • Eutrophication and harmful algae blooms
      • Microplastics
    • Email: chunlei.fan@morgan.edu

• Dr. Tom Ihde - Research Assistant Professor
  • Research Interests:
    • Fisheries ecosystem modeling
    • Chesapeake Bay population ecology and dynamics
    • Stakeholder outreach and fishery management decisions
    • Fisheries data analysis in limited data situations
  • Email: thomas.ihde@morgan.edu

• Dr. Amanda Knobloch - Education Coordinator and Researcher
  • Research Interests:
    • Biogeochemistry
    • Carbon cycling
    • Water quality
  • Email: amanda.knobloch@morgan.edu

• Dr. Scott Knoche - MSU PEARL Director, Senior Research Economist
  • Research Interests:
    • Non-market valuation
    • Human dimensions of fish and wildlife management
    • Stated preference survey methods
    • Survey development and methodology
    • Discrete choice analysis
  • Email: scott.knoche@morgan.edu

• Dr. Ming Liu - Oyster Genomics Researcher
  
  • Research Interests:
    • Oyster genetics and breeding
    • Oyster aquaculture
  • Email: ming.liu@morgan.edu

Internship Expectations

• Hours
  • Interns are expected to work full-time (40 hours per week) with their advisor for 10 weeks during the summer months.
  • The MSU PEARL Summer Internship begins June 2 and ends August 8, 2025.
  • Adjustments to time commitments (working hours or start and end dates) must be discussed with the Internship Coordinator (Dr. Amanda Knobloch) and the faculty advisor(s).

• Projects
  • Research projects will be designed under the guidance of a PEARL faculty advisor/researcher and will be completed by the end of the internship.
  • Results will be presented at the Annual Summer Internship Symposium at the end of the Internship

For more information or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact PEARL-Internship@morgan.edu.