In 1995 at the start of Karyn's exciting around the world trip, she spent two weeks as an EarthWatch volunteer researcher studying intelligence and communication in bottlenosed dolphins for world renowned psychologists Drs Louis Herman and Adam Peck. This fulfilled an ambition to study dolphins that she had for many years. At Kewalo Basin Marine Mammmal Laboratory of the University of Hawaii she worked with Akeakamai, Phoenix, Elele and Hiapo (4 bottlenosed dolphins) to investigate sensory capabilities, cognitive characteristics and communication including recognising objects through echolocation, recognising similar objects and communications between dolphins. From her journal "She (Phoenix) was lovely. She did the most amazing jumps and sommersaults for me. I had a lot of hugs and kisses and touches after it was over. I felt quite emotional that she was so gentle and trusting and would look up at me to tell her what to do next even though Holly the trainer was next to me, it was me she looked at. Probably because I was nearest to the fish bucket!! I felt really privileged to have shared that with her." The experience, however, did leave Karyn with an uncomfortable feeling. From Karyn's journal "I'am still not sure if this research is necessary or not. The tanks are small compared with their normal habitat of the sea. It is fine to research their intelligence but will it really help "them". I don't think so." Later she developed a strong ethical position against dolphins in captivity. This was Karyn's first experience of marine research after which she went on to study Marine Zoology at the School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor in 1996.