Welcome Emilia Cayelli, Cliff Townsend Scholar

Welcome Emilia Cayelli, Cliff Townsend Scholar

Published: Friday, June 25, 2021

Emilia is spending a month interning in Dr. Mark Martindale’s Lab this summer and staying with family in St. Augustine. Growing up with very few Marine Science related opportunities, she has participated in her school's science fair under the category of Animal Sciences for three years and has been selected to the State Science and Engineering Fair twice. Outside of school, she is a competitive equestrian athlete competing at multiple regional and national level competitions.

Currently, she is working in Dr. Mark Martindale’s Lab alongside Bailey Steinworth studying the early development stages of Cassiopea. Emilia notes “Having the opportunity to work in Dr. Mark Martindale’s lab at Whitney has not only taught me endless information about Cassiopea and Ctenophores, but also has given me a sneak peek into what a future career in Marine Sciences may hold.” She has always had a love for the ocean and now hopes to study Marine Biology and especially coral conservation in college.

We are most appreciative of the family for continuing this tradition at Whitney Laboratory for youth interested in science. The scholarship is named in honor or Cliff Townsend, who was the curator and then general manager of the original porpoise attraction in the town of Marineland. During Whitney Laboratory’s early formative years, Townsend was helpful in its development and served as a member of our administrative board.