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Emily Siegel, a Master of Environmental Management student, spent her summer as a research assistant for Game Rangers International.

Each year, Nicholas School of the Environment students complete internships with organizations around the world. These internships provide valuable opportunities to gain career-related experience and build a professional network. 

Duke Environment recently caught up with Emily to learn more about her experience.

What projects did you work on during your internship? What did you find most rewarding or memorable?

This summer, I worked with Game Rangers International (GRI), a wildlife conservation organization in Zambia, to conduct elephant research at their Orphan Release Facility in Kafue National Park. As part of their work, GRI rescues orphaned elephants and rehabilitates them until they’re ready to be released back into the wild. For my research, I worked alongside NSOE Ph.D. candidate Halina Malinowski to compare the body condition and movement patterns of orphans, wild, and orphan-released elephants. This involved setting camera traps at elephant hotspots throughout the national park as well as using a drone to capture aerial imagery of the herds with the help of Indiana University's Dr. Daniella Chusyd.

Emily Siegel conducting research in Zambia

For my Master's Project, I’m studying elephant behavior in response to various drone flight parameters (i.e. altitude, speed, drone type) while also comparing responses between orphaned and wild herds. As drones are a new and fast-growing technology, it is essential that they are used ethically and responsibly, keeping elephant welfare a top priority. This project is highly rewarding as my work will play a key role in shaping guidelines for future elephant research, plus I get to hang out with elephants in the African savanna all day! 

The most memorable parts of my internship were forming friendships with GRI’s elephant keepers and staff as well as developing research skills and becoming a licensed drone pilot. Living in the bush for two months also meant every day was an adventure with daily wildlife sightings such as zebras, warthogs and even a rare pangolin. 

How did the coursework and resources at the Nicholas School prepare you for success in this role as well as your internship search?

My role has been largely supported by Bass Connections, a team-based course that brings together Duke students and faculty with external partners to conduct interdisciplinary research. With the help of project leads such as Halina Malinowski and Dr. Nicolette Cagle, I’ve quickly developed the research skills needed to ethically work in international wildlife conservation.

In my first year as an MEM, I also developed a foundational understanding of the field through coursework such as Conservation Biology, Intro to GIS, and Applied Statistical Modeling. These classes have shaped how I conduct my current research and will play an integral role as I begin the analysis for my Master's Project.

Lastly, the Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) has really helped me through the funding application process. Without their support, and generous funding from the , this summer experience would not have been financially possible.

How do you envision this experience contributing to your long-term career goals?

My internship this summer has provided me a foot in the door to international wildlife research, an experience that I would not have otherwise added to my resume if it weren’t for the Nicholas School. It’s my long-term career goal to continue working with endangered species in Africa, and the contacts I’ve developed from being on the ground are essential to this type of work. I’m excited to carry the skills I’ve learned into my career and will value the memories I’ve made in Zambia for a lifetime.