By Mackenzie Ciolino, Marketing Intern, Summer 2024
Katherine Polatchek has been a valued member of the Seacoast Science Center family for the past year. She started as an intern fresh out of college and was hired as a staff member in January 2024. Now, she plans on attending graduate school to further her passion for marine science. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Katherine to discuss her time here and her plans for graduate school, and was inspired by her passion for the field.
Katherine’s interest in environmental science was piqued during a high school class. When she learned of the 2016-2017 coral bleaching event, she was eager to learn more. According to NOAA, coral bleaches when exposed to stressful conditions, such as high temperatures, which cause the microalgae in the coral to become toxic. She explains, “I became really interested in coral, and was fascinated when I learned about the symbiotic relationships between it and other species.” Coral continues to be a special interest of Katherine’s, but a variety of topics fascinate her.
When Katherine moved on to college at Villanova University in Philadelphia, she chose to study environmental science. She took a particularly interesting course called Oceans in the Anthropocene in her sophomore year. She later became a teacher’s assistant for the course and did research with the professor on Artemia, better known as sea monkeys, “testing how they reacted to different stressors because they’re so resilient.”
One day, when speaking with her professor and offhandedly mentioning Pat’s Peak in New Hampshire, Katherine was surprised to learn he was from NH himself! Upon learning of their connection, he suggested Katherine look into working at Seacoast Science Center. He thought a position here would match her interests well and be a good fit for her. “I took his advice and applied for an internship at SSC during my senior year of college.” She applied for the Aquarist Internship and was hired!
Katherine’s first day on the job was a highlight for her. “We received our very first delivery of baby chain catsharks. Fifteen minutes in and I thought, ‘This is the coolest job ever!’” she laughs. Katherine had a special connection with our resident octopus as well, who sadly passed away in July of 2024. “Everything about her was just so fascinating; her intelligence, her color-changing capacity… it’s all just so fascinating.”
Though she may have had favorites, Katherine enjoyed feeding all of the animals. She explains, “I love it because it feels like I’m directly interacting with them. It seems like they do all have different personalities.” She goes on to joke, “I have a little relationship with this fish even though they see me as the blue-shirt girl who brings me food!” Another aspect of the job Katherine loves is feeding the animals during naturalist-led programs. “Typically I’ll do the feeding while the naturalist narrates and shares information about the species with our visitors. I hop in and share information too. It is a nice collaboration.” A particular highlight for her is working with groups of children when “they’re paying attention, are super interested, and they’re asking great questions. That’s such a rewarding feeling.”
Working at SSC was an educational experience for Katherine herself. “Working here has opened my eyes to how complex and beautiful the cold water ecosystem is. The enormous diversity of species compared to that in warm water systems is mind-blowing to me,” she explains. She mentions other surprising information she has learned while working here: “I didn’t realize sea turtles inhabit our region in the summertime when the water is warmer and I didn’t know there are dolphins in the Gulf of Maine.” Her experience at SSC has given her a much greater appreciation for the local marine ecosystem. “I am incredibly passionate about it,” Katherine says.
Katherine intends to take her newfound passion and knowledge to graduate school. “That’s always been part of my plan,” Katherine tells me. She is set to begin work on her Master’s of Professional Science at the University of Miami (UM) studying marine conservation with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in the fall. This program is focused on experiential learning. There, she will have the opportunity to follow her passion for coral research. UM is currently doing research into which coral species are the most resilient, which Katherine will take part in. She also plans to join the university’s Rescue a Reef program, where students grow endangered coral species to help restore coral reefs.
Katherine would like to continue with her work with corals after completing her graduate degree but is open to other opportunities. “I’m passionate about so many things,” she says, “but marine conservation will hopefully open a variety of doors. I’ve always wanted a job doing fieldwork. I love actually being out there, it makes me feel like I’m making more of a direct impact.” She would also consider returning to Seacoast Science Center, as it has become dear to her and she would enjoy bringing new expertise back with her.
When I ask Katherine if she has a message she would like to share with readers, she says: “It’s just so easy to get caught up in life that you lose touch with nature even when you’re in it. There’ll be some days where I take a minute to go outside and just enjoy where we are. Even when life gets crazy, it’s important to appreciate the world around us, both to understand its beauty and to realize we are part of something larger than ourselves.”
