Semester at Skidaway Alumni Spotlight: Sarah McCaffrey

Sarah McCaffrey on the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's R/V E.O. Wilson, checking in on a buoy.
Sarah McCaffrey on the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s R/V E.O. Wilson, checking in on a buoy. (Photo by Brian Dzwonkowski.)

Sarah McCaffrey, who participated in the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s (SkIO) Semester at Skidaway program in fall 2023, is now working as a Biological Opportunities And Training in Sciences (BOATS) intern at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. BOATS is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) program that provides early career scientists with professional development and research training. 

McCaffrey, who is from Augusta, Georgia, received a bachelor’s degree in ocean science from the Department of Marine Sciences at UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and a minor in ecology from UGA’s Odum School of Ecology in December 2023. 

SkIO: Tell us about your role at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. What does a typical day (or week) look like? 

Sarah McCaffrey (SM): I am an NSF-RaMP BOATS intern. This is a new program, so I am a part of their first cohort. I work in Dr. Brian Dzwonkowski’s lab, and he studies physical oceanography. I assisted this year with hypoxia surveys in the Mississippi Bight, but my main project was evaluating the wind estimates from a low-cost wave buoy. We deployed this small wave buoy (Sofar Spotter wave buoy) alongside a large Nexsens CB-650 data buoy to compare wind measurements (speed and direction). I am mostly in the lab coding and ensuring the buoys are communicating.

I also go out on the boat when they are going out to manage sites that are equipped with instruments, such as sondes. Brian works closely with ARCOS (Alabama’s Real-Time Coastal Observing System), and the two buoys we deployed (Sofar buoy and West End CP) are also on there. Their real-time data are open to the public. I also volunteer at the Alabama Aquarium as an aquarist, as well as help the other cohort members in their labs when needed.

McCaffrey with SkIO Director Clark Alexander and fellow Semester at Skidaway alumnus Dillon Doomstorm (right) at the 2025 Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) Conference in Richmond, Virgini
McCaffrey with SkIO Director Clark Alexander and fellow Semester at Skidaway alumnus Dillon Doomstorm (right) at the 2025 Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) Conference in Richmond, Virginia.

SkIO: What are the most rewarding parts of your current position?

SM: The most rewarding part on my position is being able to gain all these experiences and connections that would have been hard without the program. Also, being able to go to conferences to share my work and get feedback on ways to improve not only my work but myself as a growing scientist.
 
SkIO: What inspired your love of marine science?
 
SM: As many others might say, I have always loved the beach and marine life. We always hear how the ocean has barely been explored. Whenever I see the ocean, I always think about what is going on beneath the surface that we can’t see. When I was a girl scout, my troop went to Savannah, Georgia, for an event, and we got to walk along the beach as a guided tour. Hearing the tour guide talk about the ocean and seeing my first horseshoe crab on the beach really drove my passion for going into marine science.
McCaffrey on the RV Savannah giving two thumbs up.
McCaffrey on a cruise aboard the R/V Savannah during the Semester at Skidaway program in 2023.

SkIO: How did your time at SkIO/UGA influence your career path and prepare you for where you are today? 

SM: SkIO was my first real hands-on research experience working in marine science. It allowed me to learn so much, and my time at SkIO made me really feel like I was a scientist — especially the overnight expedition on the R/V Savannah. Many skills that I learned at SkIO have helped me in where I am today.

SkIO: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

SM: In the next 5-10 years, I hope to have a masters degree and a stable job doing what I love. I would love to be working at a conservation center or aquarium. I hope I will still be doing research, especially field work, while also being able to educate others on marine science. I also hope to finally be SCUBA certified. 

SkIO: How did you find and land your current role? Do you have any advice for current undergraduate students and/or recent graduates interested in your line of work?

SM: I found my current internship through a friend/colleague, Dillon Doomstorm, who I met at UGA. We were in the same major, but different years. He sent it to me after graduation since he knew I was struggling to get opportunities. I would definitely suggest getting as much experience as you can during undergrad. I regret not doing an REU or internship during college, but I also went during COVID (2019-2023), so it was a hard time. Also, definitely make connections with your peers and your professors, because they could help you during your career after college.

McCaffrey and another intern scuba diving in a pool.
Sarah McCaffrey (right) and fellow intern Adelaide Tomerlin participating in the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Discover SCUBA Day. (Photo by Greer Handley.)

SkIO: What do you do for fun, outside of work? 

SM: I love going to the beach to swim and beachcomb. I love hanging out with my friends and doing movie or game nights. I also love hanging out with my dog. He’s a corgi named Tofu. I’m also part of the Pokemon hype, so I love going to card stores and card shows.

About SkIO

The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and education institution located on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia. The Institute was founded in 1967 with a mission to conduct research in all fields of oceanography. In 2013, SkIO was merged with the University of Georgia. The campus serves as a gateway to coastal and marine environments for programs throughout the University System. The Institute’s primary goals are to further the understanding of marine and environmental processes, conduct leading-edge research on coastal and marine systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists.