Kaelonnah Darlich, a sophomore studying biology in the Eberly College of Science and a Millennium Scholar, traveled to the Florida Keys as part of BIOL 483, where she conducted hands-on research and gained invaluable fieldwork experience at the Key Largo Marine Research Laboratory. “Before the trip, I participated in several lab sessions focused on molecular biology and sequencing techniques, which laid a strong foundation for our field work in Key Largo. As part of the course, our class was divided into research teams to explore diverse topics. My group focused on analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) to investigate the bacterial communities associated with the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea xamachana)," Darlich said. "This was a valuable hands-on research experience through which I gained practical skills, lasting friendships, and a deeper understanding of marine science. The course reaffirmed my goal of pursuing a PhD in marine biology, fostering a greater appreciation for the ecosystems I hope to study and protect.”