Feature Stories 2025: Donor support keeps Drake Ssempijja, PhD ’28 hooked on sustainability

Cast, catch, net. Drake Ssempijja, PhD '28 was born and raised along Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world and the heartbeat of Uganda’s fish supply. Fishermen dotted the shore every day, lugging their fishing gear and tossing their nets across the surface, a rhythm of life that defined his early years. Ssempijja often visited the local fish market, where the air was thick with the salty scent of fresh catch and the hustle of traders and buyers. 

Driven by a desire to understand and preserve the waters he grew up beside, Ssempijja pursued formal education in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, beginning at Makerere University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Aquaculture in 2011. He further advanced his studies at Ghent University in Belgium where he completed a Master of Science in Aquaculture Science and Technology in 2014. 

“After receiving my master’s degree, I became very interested in fishing gear. What exactly is fishing gear, and how do we use it to get fish out of the water?” said Ssempijja, spending nearly ten years as a fisheries research scientist, educator, and consultant for several international organizations in Uganda and beyond. 

After years of reading his research, Ssempijja finally encountered Dr. Pingguo He, a professor at UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), at a Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations (FAO-UN) meeting in Italy —thousands of miles from New Bedford, MA. Starstruck, Ssempijja said, “I was so drawn to Dr. He’s work because he’s one of the few well-known fishing gear specialists in the world. I wanted to join his lab because he focuses on conservation engineering; how can we engineer fishing gear to prevent their impact on the environment? I just had to come to SMAST after meeting him.” 

Now, as a PhD Research Assistant in the Fish Behavior and Conservation Engineering Research Group at SMAST, Ssempijja focuses on plastic pollution from discarded fishing gear in inland fisheries, particularly in the developing world. He said, “My best experience so far has been learning how SMAST operates, especially given its strategic location in New Bedford. The work we do with fishermen and our collaborative approach to research has been incredibly eye-opening for me. We don't operate in the dark; instead, we emphasize cooperative research.” 

While Ssempijja’s research at SMAST has been a transformative experience, pursuing a PhD comes with financial challenges. For many students, securing funding through scholarships is essential to focus on their work without the added pressure of financial strain. Ssempijja is no exception, as he explains: “I’m lucky to have this opportunity to work with Dr. He, but there are still student fees and research expenses that must be funded somehow. Scholarship support helped me relieve that financial strain and gave me a peace of mind so I can concentrate on what’s important, and that’s science.” 

In addition to scholarship support, Ssempijja also experienced the impact of donor generosity through a recognized student organization (RSO) crowdfunding campaign held this past Fall. Organized by the Office of Annual Giving, the campaign aimed to stimulate RSO growth, enrich campus life, and provide more opportunities for scholars to blossom and thrive both academically and personally. As the President of the Marine Science Student Association (MaSSA), Ssempijja spearheaded fundraising efforts on behalf of the organization and raised the most funds out of 42 participating RSOs. 

“The money we raised came from the community—fishermen, restaurants, and even alumni local to the area. My committee, just five of us, spent time going around, sharing information about our organization and explaining how we intended to use the funds. People were so eager to help and chip in,” said Ssempijja. Thanks to this outpouring of support, their research initiatives and activities have the funds needed to, in turn, give back to the community, creating a cycle of giving and progress. “It’s simply a testament to how deeply SMAST is connected to this community.” 

With support from scholarships, crowdfunding, and the community, Ssempijja’s vital research at SMAST benefits both the environment and the people who depend on it. Driven by the values instilled during his upbringing along Lake Victoria, he remains committed to ensuring sustainable solutions for the communities he calls home.