Meet Our 2024 Interns

Swarna Chowdhury

Swarna has a bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. After graduation, she started her professional career with the Institute of Water Modelling in Bangladesh for three and a half years, leading multiple government-funded river modeling and management projects. She started her doctoral study at NC State University in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department in 2021. Swarna’s Ph.D. research focuses on coastal modeling aiming to understand the impact of environmental and anthropogenic factors such as extreme weather events, aquaculture, and coastal infrastructure—on coastal shorelines, aquatic habitats, and sediment dynamics. Swarna is from Dhaka, Bangladesh, and loves traveling, hiking, gardening, and reading books in her free time.

Joel Beaudry

Joel is a current Master of Environmental Management student at Duke University with concentrations in Environmental Economics & Policy and Coastal & Marine Systems and is excited to serve as one of the Coastal Restoration & Outreach Fellows for this summer. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science. Originally from Orlando, FL, Joel grew up exploring many of Florida’s state parks. In his spare time, he enjoys completing escape rooms, cheering on Florida and Duke athletics, and camping.

Jason Vanzant

Jason is the STEM Instructor and Instructional Technology Facilitator at Bogue Sound Elementary School.  He is a 2024-2025 Kenan Fellow partnering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation on the project Addressing Health Equity Through Food Security sponsored by the Biogen Foundation.  Jason is a certified North Carolina Environmental Educator, certified Google Level I Educator, and certified SCUBA diver.  

The past six years, Jason has partnered with NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School Program.  During this partnership, Jason led students in marine debris clean-ups on and off campus, initiated composting at BSES, and created a hydroponic system for the school.   Jason is currently creating an outdoor learning environment (coined “The Nature Lab”) at Bogue Sound Elementary equipped with hiking trails.  He has utilized the Nature Lab to tie K-5 science and math standards to outdoor learning, providing students with experiences to appreciate nature.  Jason is a graduate of Indiana State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement. He is also employed by the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Department and has previous work experience within state parks through the Corps of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources.  When he is not working, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, writing, challenging himself physically (running & weight training), carpentry, and landscaping.

Bix Griffith

Bix is a rising senior at Spencer Center High School in Cincinnati, OH. She has been volunteering with the Coastal Federation since she was introduced by her grandfather when she was 6 years old. She worked on the community farm at the start, attended the summer camp, and is now a summer intern. Bix enjoys sewing historical clothes from the 18th and 19th centuries and reading and learning Latin.

Elise Coby

Elise Coby is currently a graduate student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she is studying Coastal and Ocean Policy. She is a strong advocate for coastal restoration and resiliency and is seeking a career in coastal management. Outside of her studies, she is a passionate equestrian, specializing in show jumping, and enjoys running and swimming in the ocean. Elise also loves to travel; her favorite trip was a study abroad experience in Ecuador, where she studied biology in the Amazon rainforest, along the coast of Ayampe, and in the Galápagos Islands.

Isabel Chang

Isabel Chang is from Wilmington and is a rising junior at NC State University. She is majoring in Plant Biology and Conservation Biology with a minor in Chinese Studies. Isabel hopes to pursue a career in conservation work, specifically focusing on sustainable agriculture. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and cooking.

Mia Goldberg

Mia Goldberg is a rising sophomore attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She is majoring in Business Management and double minoring in Honors and Environmental Studies. Mia is involved in several clubs, including Club Caving, Bird Club, Latin Dance, and Student Ambassadors. She aspires to work in environmental conservation as a manager in an environmental organization. She enjoys swimming, being outdoors, and cooking in her spare time.