Class of 2003 Boothbay Region High School graduate, Karin Marie (Iuzzolino) Paquin, has accepted a position at the Maine State Aquarium in West Boothbay Harbor as the lead aquarist for the 2013 season. She is excited to return to Maine to continue her work in the aquarium sciences.

“Aquariums are so much more than just what the public sees when they visit. Aquarium science requires knowledge on plumbing, electrical, water quality, collection (acquisition), ecological relationships & habitats, and animal nutrition and behavior,” Paquin said. “If just one of these pieces is not working or is not in balance, it can cause a negative domino effect. I love the complexity and the challenges provided on a daily basis in an aquarium.”

The position as lead aquarist at the Maine State Aquarium for the 2013 season is just what Paquin was seeking a chance to return to Maine, and a chance to continue to do what she loves, care for aquatic animals and share her knowledge with others.

Aquarium Manager, Aimee Hayden-Roderiques, said, “We are truly excited to both bring Karin on board our team and to allow Karin to continue working in her selected field in her home area. While hiring the appropriate people each season can be challenging, selecting Karin for our facility was an easy choice – she had demonstrated a sincere passion for the aquatic sciences and marine education-reflected in her work history and her education – and as a local she will bring her knowledge of the area to our guests.”

Paquin took the time to get her feet wet by interning with Island Beach State Park Visitor Center (New Jersey), Bigelow Laboratories for the Ocean Sciences (Maine), the Marine Animals and Rehabilitation Center (MARC-Maine), and MOTE Marine Laboratories (Florida). Experiences like these led Paquin to combine a career in aquarium science and education. She received her bachelor's degree in marine biology (2007) and master's degree in science education (2012) from the University of New England in Biddeford.

Paquin is a Mitchell Alumni and highly recommends that graduating seniors consider the Mitchell Institute when seeking out scholarships. “The Mitchell Institute has done so much for me throughout the years, from the 4 year scholarship as an undergraduate to the professional development scholarship most recently awarded to me as an Alumni,” Paquin said. “The Mitchell Institute has been at the forefront of helping me make a name for myself in my field, Aquarium Science and Education.”  For more information, visit www.mitchellinstitute.org/apply-online.html/.

Since 2008, Paquin has been the assistant curator at the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service in Savannah, Ga. where she had the opportunity to grow her professional skills in aquarium science and education, but Paquin is looking forward to returning the Maine. You may remember an article in the Boothbay Register about Paquin participating in research aboard the NOAA Research Vessel Nancy Foster. The research included acoustic transmitter surgeries on fish at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.