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Nicole Firing, Marine Biologist 🦈🐠

@belowthesurf

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Empower. Inspire. Conserve.
🦈 Marine Biologist fighting for the Ocean
🏝 3rd year PhD student
🇧🇱 St Barths 🇺🇸 DC
👩🏻‍🔬 views are my own

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

We’re trying to do something nobody has done before. Against all odds, and even some “colleagues” actively standing in our way, trying to prevent us from growing. Still others pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves, and we’re forever humbled by them. This project will be successful simply out of pure passion from those that comprise our team.

Kinda chic, ya know.
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#shark #sharkresearch #sharkweek #science #maryland

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Strength doesn’t stop at the studio door 💪

Meet b3B member, Elizabeth; a fisheries biologist who spends her days lifting, hauling, and moving through conditions most of us never experience. Since joining barre3 in November 2024, she’s built the kind of strength that shows up when it matters—

🏋️‍♀️carrying 40 lbs of rebar across two miles, paddling a stalled boat back to shore, and staying steady even in unpredictable weather!

Around here, we see it in class. Out there, she puts it to the test. We’re so proud to have you in this community, Elizabeth
🧡

ATTN Members— we want to see how strong YOU are outside of b3B! DM us with your stories and how you feel supported outside of the studio so we can celebrate you on the grid soon!

#barre3 #barre3bethesda #barre3community #barre3strong

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The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA) and Graduate Student Life are honored to announce the winners of the inaugural Graduate Student Champion Awards. This new award recognizes the individuals, offices, and organizations across the university who work tirelessly to advance graduate student success and well-being at George Mason University.

1. Instructional Faculty Member: Dr. Shannon Davis, Professor, Sociology
2. Administrative Faculty or Staff Member: Jonathan Carmona, Assistant Director for International Engagement in the Office of International Programs and Services
3. Graduate Student: Nicole Firing, Doctoral Student in Environmental Science and Public Policy
4. Campus Unit or Student Organization: Center for Humanities Research

These awards were presented at the Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference on Friday, March 27, 2026. Please join us in congratulating the winners and celebrating the champions who support the success and well-being of graduate and professional students at George Mason.

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Meet Nicole Firing 🌊🦈

From surfing and free diving as a child to researching sharks and stingrays as a PhD student at @georgemasonu @espmasonu, Nicole’s journey is fueled by curiosity and a deep love for the ocean.
Her research explores how sharks and stingrays use coastal habitats in the French West Indies — generating insights that support stronger conservation efforts and more effective marine management.

Her experience shows how focus and perseverance can lead to impactful research and global collaboration.

Follow her journey @belowthesurf ✨

#MasonScience #MarineBiology #PhDStudent #StBarths

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Weekend in-water science vibes only 🌊✨
We’re hiring a marine scientist / educator to run fun, guest-focused ocean programs twice a month at a luxury resort on Singer Island, FL starting in April! 💼🐠
Must love:
• Talking about the ocean with all ages
• Weekend programs & hands-on activities
• Turning beach days into learning moments
Interested? Email your resume/CV + questions to:
📧 mfryer610@gmail.com
📧 nicolefiring@gmail.com
Tag a marine scientist or ocean educator who’d be perfect for this role 💙

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We're shore-ly could not pass up the oppro-tuna-ty to celebrate the backbone of MSEE and those who have made us who we are!
🌊✨ From past to present, these dedicated scientists have inspired thousands through their unwavering commitment to ocean conservation, research, and education. We understand the profound impact of public education and how it connects us to our environment, but we also recognize the incredible transformation it brings to us as educators in sharing this knowledge! Join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the educators in our lives today and every day! 🌍💙 #InternationalEnvironmentalEducationDay #OceanConservation #ThankAnEducator

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Hi, I’m Sherrel…and this year…

Challenged me mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and in my health.

Yet through it all, the Lord has been so kind, continually reminding me of my strength and gifts, and helping me to accomplish some really cool things 🙏🏾✝️

I completed my postgraduate course at UWI with distinction, spoke on my first conservation webinar, developed and delivered conservation science education initiatives, gave back to my alma mater, won a Caribbean Choice Award for photography, and was nominated for a Women in STEAM campaign.

None of this happened alone. Thank you God, my family, friends, and the EAG team🙏🏾

This year, I truly stepped into my identity, fully knowing Whose I am and who I am❤️

This is just portion of the amazing things God has done!

Let’s see what 2026 brings God’s willing🙏🏾

#ecologist #endofyear #reflection

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How to Start Your Marine Biology Journey in High School

1️⃣ Take relevant classes.
Focus on biology, environmental science, chemistry, and marine science (if your school offers it). These give you a solid foundation for college-level marine biology courses.

2️⃣ Get involved locally.
Join beach cleanups, conservation events, or science clubs — and don’t just show up… introduce yourself to the organizers! Early networking can lead to internships or volunteer positions later. 🌎✨

3️⃣ Start volunteering (anywhere).
Even a local animal shelter, aquarium, or wildlife center counts. It shows dedication, reliability, and genuine passion for animal care — all traits marine facilities look for.

4️⃣ Explore summer or weekend programs.
Many aquariums and research centers offer youth volunteer programs or marine science camps. These experiences help you stand out on college and internship applications.

5️⃣ Stay curious & connected.
Follow marine scientists, research facilities, and conservation programs online. The more you learn now, the more ready you’ll be when opportunities open up.

⸻

Send this to someone who dreams of working with sea turtles — their journey can start today.

#soyouwanttobeamarinebiologist #marinebiology #marinescience #seaturtle #wildliferehab #futuremarinebiologist #womeninstem #oceanconservation #biologymajor #wildlifecareers #marinelife #sciencecommunicator #marinescienceeducation

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Every day at the C.A.R.E. Center looks a little different — and that’s one of the things I love most about this work. 💙

Some mornings are calm and quiet… and others, like this one, are full from the moment I walk through the door. On this day, our team performed two very different procedures — a surgical debridement to help close an old wound, and a scope procedure to remove internal fishing hooks.

Between pulling treatments, giving medications, and finishing the day with medical file updates, there’s never a dull moment. Each turtle has their own story, and every procedure, every medication, every chart note plays a role in helping them heal and get one step closer to returning home to the Gulf. 🌊🐢

I never take for granted that I get to do this — to be part of their recovery, to work alongside a team that cares deeply, and to see these turtles go from critical to strong again. 💚

#SeaTurtleRehab #MarineBiologistLife #DayInTheLife #SeaTurtleConservation #CARECenter #BehindTheScenes #WildlifeRehab #LoggerheadTurtle #GulfariumCARECenter #MarineLifeRescue

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I get this question all the time — “How do I become a sea turtle rehabber?” 🐢💙

1️⃣ Start with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology or a related field (like Environmental Science, Zoology, or Wildlife Biology). This is the foundation every rescue or rehab center looks for

2️⃣ A Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) license or degree isn’t always required — but it can give you a major advantage, especially if you’re working directly with veterinarians on medical procedures

3️⃣ Hands-on turtle experience is a game changer. Learn how to tag, measure, and handle turtles safely through internships, volunteer work, or research programs.

You don’t need a Master’s degree to work in sea turtle rehabilitation — but it can open doors to research, leadership, or teaching opportunities later on.

It’s a field that takes passion, patience, and a deep love for conservation work. 🌊✨

If this is your dream job, stick around — I’m breaking down everything you need to know in this new series:
“So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist.”

💙 Save this post for later
💭 Drop your questions below
📌 Follow for Part 2 — How to get your first turtle internship!
🐢 Send this to someone chasing a career in marine science

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For Shark Week 2025 we’re offering a special on the remaining few Project Dorsal shirts we have left in stock! Go over to our online store, and enter the code “SHARKWEEK25” to receive a special discount!

Hurry. When these are gone, they’re gone. Remember, all proceeds will go towards our new juvenile sandbar shark project!

Gorgeous photo of a great white by our very own Pat Goebel @nonnativefloridaman
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#shark #sharkweek #discount #lifestyle #explore #freestuff #science #giveaway #wildlife #sweepstakes #seewhatsoutthere #jaws #underwater #wednesday #jaws #fishing #love #instatravel #instagood #picoftheday #beautiful #blessed #naturephotography #ocean #nature #instatravel #wednesdaymood

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