Caitlin Spence

Background

About Caitlin Spence

As a third-year Marine Biology student at Swansea University, my journey is driven by an unwavering passion for marine conservation and sustainability. With hands-on experience in field research, outreach programs, and Scuba diving, I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact on our oceans and marine life. Education and Skills Development- Currently pursuing Marine Biology with a Year in Applied Research at Swansea University, with a focus on boat-based modules that allow for active data collection and analysis- Strong foundation in Biology, Geography, and Chemistry from Bishop Heber High School- Proficient in species identification, data manipulation, geospatial modelling, and remote sensing analysis using QGIS. Key Experiences: Red Sea Project, Egypt -*Participated in a six-week internship, focusing on seagrass and turtle conservation.*Developed and expanded the turtle database through snorkelling and SCUBA diving, collecting data for the “Internet of Turtles” AI tracking system.*Assisted in setting up the Marine Conservation Centre (MCC), enhancing organisational skills and team collaboration.*Practiced free diving, improving species photography skills and contributing to citizen science platforms like iNaturalist. Think Pacific, Fiji -*Completed a Youth Empowerment expedition, contributing to development initiatives while preserving traditional Fijian culture.*Gained 240 hours of international work-related experience, demonstrating leadership, resilience, and strong teamwork abilities in a cross-cultural context. Travelteer, Sri Lanka -*Funded participation in turtle conservation activities and outreach work with schools and the public. 🤿PADI DiveMaster -*Completed September 2024 with Simple Life Divers, Koh Tao. 🧐Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (Currently)-*Completing my Year in Research, expanding both my knowledge and experience in the marine conservation sector, mainly coral reef restoration. Volunteer and Work Experience- Active member of Swansea University Sub Aqua Club (SUSAC), participating in numerous dive trips- Volunteered with the Friends of Felin, engaging in habitat restoration and community awareness projects with the National Trust- Experience in customer service, food preparation, and managing operations in high-pressure environments, honed through roles at Cone Cuisine, Bear Inns, and Secret Hospitality