Meet Nicole #2

Hi! My name is Nicole and I am a freshman general biology major. I am from Howard County, Maryland and am interested in pursuing a career in medicine. During middle school, I had the amazing opportunity to conduct research on seahorse aquaculture (the raising of seahorses in captivity), which initially sparked my interest in conservation efforts focusing on marine life. In my free time, I love to read, spend time with friends, and bake. I am looking forward to going to Topsail, North Carolina for spring break because we will have the chance to gain first-hand exposure to the plight of the sea turtles that, in many cases, humans have contributed to in some way. I am so excited to meet all the volunteers at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and to have the experience of working alongside them to help rehabilitate these wonderful creatures. Looking forward to an amazing trip with everyone!

Meet the Staff Advisor - Nicole Horvath

Nicole Horvath (holding turtle in picture)

• Assistant Director of Student Services, ILS
• MS, Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development

With over 10 years of professional and educational experience in wildlife conservation and sustainability education this is an experience that I am honored to be part of.  I am so excited to share this amazing experience with another group of ILS students and cannot wait for our week of hard work, laughs, and getting to provide support at the hospital.

As someone who is passionate about environmental conservation and educating others about how they can live in a more sustainable manner it is truly an honor to spend a week working with the amazing volunteers at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and of course getting to work alongside these amazing creatures.

The impact that this trip has on the participants is difficult to describe but it is seeing a student's transformation not only during the week we are there but once we come back to campus that is the reason that ILS continues to sponsor this experience for our students.

Greetings from Pat Pollard

Hey everybody! My name's Pat, and I'm an Animal Science Major. I'm from a small town in Massachusetts called Uxbridge. My goals include going to South Africa, becoming a veterinarian, and learning a second language. My hobbies include singing, playing pokemon, frisbee, and working with animals. I'm currently working at the On Campus Farm Crew as well as a research internship in the Animal Science Department. I'm also a part of University Christian Outreach, an on campus prayer group. I've worked with more animals than I can count, but a couple big ones are elephants, giraffes, llamas, cows, sheep, and a blue tongued skink (his name was Wally and he was the best part of my summer job). The reason I'm going to Topsail is because it's an amazing opportunity to make a difference in world that we are all entrusted to take care of. It's also a chance learn a great deal from not only the turtles we are helping but the men and women who are on the front lines doing everything they can to make the Earth a better place for every living thing, not just humans. Look forward to sharing this adventure with all you!

Meet Your Experience Leaders!

Hey everyone! My name is Helen, and it is so nice to meet you all! I am currently a junior who is double majoring in neurobiology and physiology and biochemistry. I am from Olney, Maryland located right in Montgomery County. I am interested pursuing a career in medicine or teaching related to science. In my spare time, I like watching TV shows like Modern Family, Bones, and Sherlock. I also enjoy volunteering in multiple organizations. I am excited about the alternative break to Topsail, NC, because it allows us as students to make a hands-on difference in the lives of numerous sea turtles who have been threatened due to human carelessness and other natural causes. One interesting fact about me is that I grew up in the Philippines for 4 years before I started kindergarten here in the states. I can't wait to work with you all before, during, and after our alternative spring break experience!

Hi! My name is Mike and I am very excited to be an AB Trip Leader for this year. I am a junior, Biology and Biochemistry double-major from Bridgewater, NJ. I enjoy watching lots of TV, volunteering, and staying active. The AB trip to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital is something that I am very excited about because I had a ton of fun with it in the past and it was a truly life-changing experience to have the opportunity to work with such wonderful creatures. A fun fact about me is that I love watching superhero movies.