Putting Research Skills to Use

Before new pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, and other products go on the market, Stephanie Jamieson ’16 is there to test their impact on aquatic life. 

She works as an assistant biologist in the aquatic department of an environmental toxicology lab, Smithers Avanza Toxicology Services, located on Cape Cod. Her job is to expose various species of fish and other aquatic animals such as tadpoles and water fleas to different concentrations of the new products in question to test their safety. 

Running tests on marine life that range from 48 hours to six months in length, Jamieson puts into practice the skills she learned as a marine biology and environmental chemistry double major working in RWU’s wet lab. 

“Having a background of culturing organisms from the wet lab has been helpful in all the jobs I’ve had since graduating. We’re breeding fish and raising them, so some of the things I now do daily I did in the wet lab all the time. Having that experience as an undergrad is so important,” she said. 

Jamieson also sharpened her research skills as a marine biologist while studying abroad in Bermuda. She studied at a research facility and was involved in field research every other day, scuba diving in coral reefs with huge, colorful parrot fish.

“I think every student should do study abroad,” she said. “You get so much exposure there and that was definitely the best memory I’ve had.”

Jamieson intends to continue her studies by earning her master’s in marine biology. Her employer offers financial aid to attend graduate school, and Jamieson is excited to take full advantage of the opportunity. 

“I really like where I am now. I can work full time and have a flexible schedule. I went for it and I love it,” she said.