Bryce Mahan learned valuable skills from the WHOI Internship. (Annemarie Conca)
By Annemarie Conca
The Woods Hole Oceanography Institution (WHOI) Blue Economy Internship caught Bryce Mahan’s attention during his freshman year at 4Cs, when his interest in oceanography began to take shape.
“I was interested in the oceanography department, as I am a 16th-generation Cape Cod resident, always being near the ocean, loving to surf and be in nature; this was a topic that resonated with me personally,” he said.
After seeing flyers around campus and receiving emails about internship opportunities during his first year at 4Cs in 2024, Mahan decided to apply. Although he was initially nervous about committing to such an intensive program as a first-year student, encouragement from engineering and math professors helped him move forward. He was accepted shortly after applying.
The internship has already helped Mahan gain early career experience. The Blue Economy Internship Program focuses on sustainability and ocean protection efforts and projects. Through this program, Mahan has been able to meet with different mentors and observe different engineering projects that include efforts towards making this world a more environmentally friendly place.
“It has given me experience in this field of expertise,” he said, adding that he has attended conferences, networked with potential employers and presented his work to professionals in the field. Through the program, Mahan also launched his own company, Bioluminetix, in partnership with WHOI under the guidance of his mentor, Paul Fucile. The company, with the help of grants from WHOI, designs sensors that go underwater and test the bioluminescence levels in a cheaper and more accessible way than ever before. Testing these levels helps farmers, fish tracking, toxin level management and is a great way to monitor the health of the ocean.
The internship begins with an application process in which students select departments based on their academic interests. Anyone can apply for this position with no experience required, simply a passion for the ocean and an urge to learn. You can do so at their website: CCCC Blue Economy InternshipsWoods Hole Oceanographic Institutionhttps://www.whoi.edu › undergraduate-programs › cccc…
“The first week I attended lectures from researchers and engineers in different departments at WHOI ,” Mahan said. “You are then paired up with a mentor in the department that you chose and join their team working on their current research project.”
Mahan was paired with Fucile and worked on projects ranging from satellite camera calibration systems to sensors used to monitor bioluminescence.
“They are very helpful and will teach you anything that you don’t know,” he said. “Primarily with CAD (Computer aided design) the first semester at 4Cs I took Design 1 … where I learned to use SolidWorks (One of the most popular CAD softwares). I was able to use the knowledge from that class to help Paul design parts for his satellite camera calibration system.”
Through the WHOI Blue Economy Internship, Mahan said he has clarified his career goals, developed professional networking skills and gained a deeper understanding of engineering work. He was also selected to apply for the Ocean Exchange Call for Solutions, a program that awards grants to startup companies.
As part of that opportunity, Mahan traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to present Bioluminetix to a panel of industry judges. Competing as an undergraduate against Ph.D. students, he said, gave him firsthand experience in the business side of engineering and highlighted the possibilities available early in a college career.
