Interning at Bandelier: Insights from the Field

Discover what it’s like to work behind the scenes in one of New Mexico’s most iconic landscapes. In this special talk, Natural Resource Management interns from Bandelier National Monument will share their paths to the internship, what their daily work involves, and how their efforts support ongoing research. Along the way, they’ll reflect on personal highlights, challenges, and the broader impact of their experience. This is a great chance to hear directly from emerging scientists making a difference in public lands conservation.

About the Presenter:
Vanessa Luviano is a current student at East Texas A&M University about to enter her third year as a Wildlife Conservation Science major, an Honors College student, and a TRIO McNair Scholar. Her capstone project for the honors program involves an undergraduate thesis covering the ectoparasite presence patterns on San Clemente Island foxes. During these past 6 weeks, she has worked as a wildlife intern for Bandelier National Monument, partaking in various ongoing activities. She enjoys spending time outdoors admiring wildlife, collecting rocks, and Minecraft collectibles.

Mykah Gallher is a student at East Texas A&M University where she majors in Wildlife Conservation Science and attends their Honors College. She is currently writing an undergraduate thesis on elk migration in the Valles Caldera as it relates to fence lines around the preserve. She has spent the last 8 weeks working as an intern for Bandelier National Monument under the supervision of Sarah Milligan. In her free time, Mykah enjoys hiking, reading anything put in front of her, being unapologetically Texan, working with livestock, and consuming concerning amounts of Raising Cane’s

Admission: Free

Photo Credit: Mykah and Vanessa