Research biologist Gerda Ucharm started working with Coral Reef Research Foundation in Palau in 2009 on a marine lakes project. When she first started, she was a bit shocked by the trail to each lake and the amount of equipment that was needed to be carried up and down the rocky trail in and out of each lake. However, her love for science and nature helped her to adapt. She became more comfortable with the daily routines and overcame her fear of being in the same water with the crocodiles. Every month she visits three different jellyfish lakes and three coves around Malakal area. One of the three lakes that she visits is the world famous Jellyfish Lake. She spends two days in Jellyfish Lake where she takes water profile with a water quality meter, downloads weather data, and counts jellies. Gerda also participated in several NCI collections, both in Palau and going on the Kosrae and Thailand trips. Gerda mentors and supports the learning of Palauan Heirs, including Blaine, Aliyah, Adora and Max as well as other youth in Palau. She is a proponent of getting islander youth into their waters for to learn science.
