The Susan Baker Reinhardt Library and Marine Science Internship was established to honor the life of Sue Reinhardt and to recognize her passion for marine science and support of the Duke University Libraries. It will focus on advancing women in science and supporting students and library work at the intersection of marine science and conservation. The internship is intended to provide opportunities for Duke students that were not available (or were denied) to Sue as a student.
After studying at the Duke University Marine Lab (DUML) in Beaufort, NC and the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, Wales, Sue earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1979, with double majors in Marine Science and Zoology. She received her Master of Science degree in 1984 after successfully defending her thesis “Lipid Composition of Antarctic Midwater Organisms.” Her research was published in Polar Biology and Marine Biology. Sue also co-authored a paper on lipid components of 11 species of Caribbean sharks and five papers on the sources, distributions, and fates of pelagic tar in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The student intern recipient(s) will gain a variety of experiences creating and implementing outreach projects that promote science, engage students, and connect with the community. Interns will develop skills applicable to future careers, including science communication and project management; promote equity in the sciences; and support collaboration between DUML and Duke University Libraries. This practical experience will enable interns to explore the interdisciplinary nature of marine science and contribute to student learning, all while making an immediate impact on the local community.
The next Susan Baker Reinhardt Intern will begin in the fall of 2026.