Conor J. McCarthy is applying for a Marine Turtle Conservation Internship. Marta I. Sanchez, his supervisor during a two month Erasmus internship, writes a letter of recommendation. During his internship, Conor participated in several conservation projects involving invasive species, bats, and seabirds. He conducted fieldwork collecting samples in all weather conditions and laboratory work processing samples. Conor also attended lectures on stable isotope analysis, host-parasite interactions, and other topics. Sanchez states that Conor is highly motivated, dedicated, works efficiently under long hours in difficult conditions, and has a charming personality. For these reasons, Sanchez strongly supports Conor's application.

1. C/ AMERICO VESPUCIO S/N
41092 SEVILLA (ESPAÑA)
TEL. :(34) 954 466700
FAX:(34) 954 621125
Seville, 30/10/2015
Dear colleague,
I would like to express my full support of Conor J. McCarthy for his application to the
Marine Turtle Conservation Internships offered by AIGCD.
I have known Conor for two months as supervisor of his Erasmus internship at our
department of Wetland Ecology (Doñana Biological Station-CSIC). During this time I
have had many opportunities to assess his knowledge, abilities and personality.
In our group Conor participates in several projects related with aquatic invasive
animals. For example he has done lots of fieldwork collecting crayfish samples, setting
and retrieving trap nets in all sorts of weather; in the laboratory he has processed
crayfish samples, taking measurements and also extracting muscle, shell, digestive tract,
gill and hepathopancreas samples for genetic and genomic studies, etc. He has also
collaborated with other researchers at EBD in other conservation projects and with other
model species. For example he has participated in catching bats, helping to set up mist
nets, taking biological samples, etc. He has also collaborated in a project on seabirds,
preparing blood and feather samples for stable isotope analysis, etc.
In addition to field and laboratory work he has attended lectures of invited researchers
on stable isotope analysis, host-parasite interactions, etc.
Conor is a highly motivated student and dedicated worker who truly enjoys field work.
It has required working during the night, hot weather during the day, and very long
working periods without stopping. He has demonstrated himself to be very ethical,
efficient and responsible. He has been active and well-organized at every stage of our
work. Moreover he has a charming personality.

2. C/ AMERICO VESPUCIO S/N
41092 SEVILLA (ESPAÑA)
TEL. :(34) 954 466700
FAX:(34) 954 621125
For all the above reasons I believe that Conor is an excellent candidate for the position
and I strongly support his application. For any further questions, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Marta I. Sánchez