Imagine standing on the warm shores of the Canary Islands, surrounded by some of the world’s top marine scientists, presenting findings from your research. Now imagine that just weeks earlier, you were studying sponge biodiversity at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Can you picture it? Well, for undergraduate marine biology major Dylan Meier ’26, this whirlwind summer wasn’t just a dream—it was reality! 

Meier was one of 13 students selected from a pool of over 600 applicants for a prestigious, 10-week internship at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. For ten weeks, he participated in an immersive sea sponge research, a vital but often overlooked component of marine ecosystems. But this opportunity wasn’t the only highlight of his summer. Midway through his internship, he was able to travel to the Canary Islands to present his work on echinoderms—specifically brittle stars and crinoids—at the 17th International Echinoderm Conference & 2nd International Hemichordate Meeting through financial support from Michigan Lakes and Streams Associations, the Stockton Student Research Funding Opportunities, and the generosity of friends and family through crowdfunding.

New Beginnings Lead to Amazing Opportunities

His journey into taxonomy didn’t start at the Smithsonian but rather in a Stockton lab with Marine Science Professor Dr. Camilla Alves-Souto. He recalled, “I didn’t even know undergraduates could do independent research until I spoke to my professor [Adjunct Professor of Marine Science Tamar Spainer], and she connected me with Dr. Alves-Souto, who had just joined the faculty.” Alves-Souto, a specialist in echinoderms, was searching for students to assist with her ongoing projects. Intrigued by the opportunity to branch out from his previous internship in oyster restoration with Thompson, Meier eagerly joined her lab. After reviewing the several projects she was working on, he chose to focus his research on brittle stars and crinoids, two fascinating marine creatures that captivated his scientific curiosity. “The research involved taxonomy, identifying brittle stars and crinoids by their characteristics and placing them into subgenera if they hadn't been classified yet,” he fondly recalled. This experience would prove invaluable as it closely mirrored the work he would later perform at the Smithsonian on sponges. 

While Meier’s research at Stockton provided a strong foundation, securing the internship at the Smithsonian wasn’t easy. “I think a few things helped me get in,” he reflected. First and foremost, his experience with taxonomy and identifying marine species made him a perfect fit for the Smithsonian’s sponge biodiversity project. In addition to his technical skills, Meier feels his personal story played a crucial role. As with many young adults, he had previously pursued a different path in higher education before landing on science at Stockton. He even took a brief hiatus from school in search of a fresh start. However, it was during that hiatus he experienced a life-altering event that left a lasting impact on his life when he was robbed. He realized life was short and returned to his academic pursuits with renewed purpose. “I think they were looking for students who had overcome challenges and could bring a unique perspective,” Meier shared. “Many of the other interns had similarly untraditional paths, which I found really inspiring.” And, of course, there was the invaluable connection with Alves-Souto, who had been a postdoc at the Smithsonian. He had even visited the Smithsonian once before with her, where he met some of the researchers he would later collaborate with. 

Diving Into Sponge Research 

So why sponges? Similarly to horseshoe crabs, these creatures contain an abundance of chemical compounds needed to help ward off predators and disease and to communicate with other animals. Scientists have found compounds in sponges that can potentially provide a wide range of medicinal benefits, from antibacterial to immunosuppressive and antitumor.

Meier hit the ground running once he arrived at the Smithsonian. After an intensive week of training, he began working closely with his mentors to identify sponges using taxonomic keys and cutting-edge tools like the scanning electron microscope (SEM) [SEM is one of the most widely used instrumental methods for the examination and analysis of micro- and nanoparticle imaging characterization of solid objects…with a resolution of 10nm, that is, 100A. (Webb & Holgate)]. This work wasn’t just about identifying species; it involved a deep dive into sponge anatomy, from their intricate fiber networks to the spicules that provide structural support. “Sponges are fascinating because their body plan can be so diverse,” he explains. “Some sponges have no spicules, some have one type, and others can have four or more. Each one tells a different story about the sponge’s place in the ecosystem.”  

Throughout his time at the Smithsonian, Meier was also trained in DNA sequencing, a crucial tool for modern taxonomists. By analyzing genetic data using a platform called HydRA [HydRA is a deep-learning model combining PPI and sequence features to predict RBPs – Cell Press Published by Elsevier Inc. ll - Science Direct], he could match the sponge samples he studied with known species in the GeneBank database, deepening his understanding of sponge biodiversity. 

Just Another Week in the Canary Islands 

Midway through his REU, Meier packed his bags and headed to the Canary Islands to present his research on echinoderms at the 17th International Echinoderm Conference & 2nd International Hemichordate Meeting in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. The week-long conference started each day with an hour-long presentation in the field, followed by 15-minute presentations throughout the day. In the evenings, researchers would present their poster presentations. It was a surreal experience, standing before world-renowned scientists and other student researchers, sharing findings he had painstakingly gathered over the past year at Stockton. “I was only there for a week, but it was an amazing opportunity,” he said. 

Looking Ahead 

Meier’s summer experience was transformative, not just because of the research but also because of the people he met along the way. Whether working alongside renowned researchers at the Smithsonian or meeting students and scientists from around the world at the conference, he learned that there are many paths to success in science. “Not everyone follows the same straight line,” he said. “There are a lot of rocky roads, but those experiences shape who you are as a scientist and a person.” 

As Meier looks toward his future, he’s more passionate than ever about marine biology and the opportunities it offers. With the experiences of this incredible summer behind him, he’s ready to dive even deeper into the mysteries of the ocean. His journey shows how life can turn around if you change your mindset with the power of perseverance, curiosity, and not being afraid to seize every opportunity.