On the Job: Katie Spilatore, BS ’27

Junior biology major Katie Spilatore, BS ’27, is making an impact in the University’s biodiversity lab, which houses large numbers of rare, exotic and endangered species. As a biodiversity lab intern working alongside Professor Scott McRobert, PhD, Spilatore’s role involves observing the social behavior of fish, tracking the growth of rescued diamondback terrapins and observing fruit fly mating behavior. 

The Role:

Biodiversity Lab Intern, Saint Joseph’s Biology Department

Describe your internship in three emojis:

🐢 (turtle)

🐟 (fish)

🩷 (love)

The Day-to-Day:

Tasks include feeding the fish or turtles, cleaning filters and glass, and most of all, observing their health. We are trained on physical and behavioral red flags that these creatures are communicating. I have set myself a routine of what tasks to do every day. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I clean internal filters and feed my turtles. On Tuesdays, I clean the other filters that don’t require frequent cleaning. On Thursdays, I scrub the tank wall while changing the water. Over the summer, I had to juggle eight tanks at once, so I made a huge list organizing the tasks every day! 

Go-to snack or drink that gets you through the day:

I carry my water bottle everywhere! My way of socializing is, “I’m gonna have stickers and pins of my interests and hope that someone mentions it,” so the water bottle and my laptop are FULL of stickers.

My memorable moment:

As I got acquainted with my first turtle tank, I noticed that these three guys didn’t have names. I couldn’t believe I could just … give them names! I am not the right person to name things, for I named them after obscure YouTube celebrities (Nick and Noah) and a video game character (Ness). My naming legacy will last, as new name tags have been put up (even though they mixed up Ness and Noah). 

Favorite part of your role:

I'M LITERALLY SURROUNDED BY ADORABLE CREATURES! It’s interesting to consider if turtles have the capability to have affection. Every time I arrive, they sprint from their basking platform to greet me, swimming right up to the glass, looking at me with so much energy! Of course, food motivation is a possibility, but I swear it’s more than that. Another great thing is having the opportunity to inspire. I used to be a kid visiting the lab at the open house, and now I am the one welcoming others to this world! This experience is an amazing example of the opportunities offered on campus!

Fit check:

You get really wet in this job, constantly dipping arms into tanks, washing equipment and frequent spilling (especially for me). That’s why I always wear a t-shirt underneath my hoodie on a cold day. I also take this time to show off my science and nature-related tees. 

Tips for the next intern:

Our motto is “the animals come first!” This does not mean you have to sacrifice much for their well-being. One summer week, I was the only one in the lab. The turtles and fish needed care, but so did I. Basically, this motto means that if you can’t care for your tanks, get someone to cover you ASAP!