Alumni Connections
Keep in touch with UMassD & SMAST
Interested in being highlighted in one of our upcoming publications? Be sure to let us know about the distinguished contributions you are making to marine sciences or related fields.
![SMAST PhD grad on beach](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/alumni/alumni-features/DJI_0312-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
Known affectionately on social media as the Shark Doctor, O’Connell ceaselessly searches for ways to conserve marine wildlife and protect oceanic species from extinction, specifically sharks.
![SMAST PhD Filipe Pereira](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2023/IMG_6384-edit-crop-1800w-1-1200X800.jpg?text=fallback320)
First-generation college student Filipe Pereira, PhD '23, was recently awarded the prestigious President's Postdoctoral Fellowship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego (UCSD).
![Cassie Canastra](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/programs/cassie-canastra-1-850X480.jpg?text=fallback320)
Cassie talks about how SMAST's professional science master’s degree program helped her gain the knowledge and experience necessary to assist regulators in the management of fisheries.
![Brooke Lowman at IMS Symposium](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/smast/news-images/190404-umass-ims-symposium-189-850X480-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Brooke talks about the value of her experiences & the return on her investment as a PhD student at SMAST.
![PhD student Micheline Labrie on an SMAST research excursion](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/smast/images/Micheline-Labrie-on-research-excursion-850X480-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Micheline Labrie talks about her love for the ocean, protecting the ecosystem, & her rich academic experience as a PhD student and research assistant at the School for Marine Science & Technology.
![SMAST PhD student Robert Wildermuth](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/smast/news-images/Robert-Wildermuth-cropped-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
PhD candidate Robert Wildermuth, talks about his interests in conservation, experiences as a student at UMassD's School for Marine Science & Technology, & his plans for the future.
![Nathalie Staiger](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2019/171117-smast-microscopy-tjc-004-(1)-1-850X567.jpg?text=fallback320)
Growing up in San Diego, Nathalie's frequent visits to the ocean inspired her to pursue a career in marine conservation.
Listening to wonderful stories about rivers and reservoirs as a child in Sri Lanka influenced Nishchitha's career path.
Developing geolocation methods to benefit fisheries stock assessment and management.
![Sheel Prajapati '18](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2018/Sheel-P-1.jpg?text=fallback320)
Sheel, who pursued her master's degree in coastal systems science at UMassD's School for Marine Science and Technology, outlines the keys to career success.
![Greg DeCelles](https://pxl-umassdedu.terminalfour.net/fit-in/320x500/filters:quality(80)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/features/2017/greg-1-453X604.jpg?text=fallback320)
Alum Greg DeCelles talks about SMAST's collaborative environment and the added value of working with faculty, peers, and local fishermen
Alum Marcos Sastre-Cordova talks about his work as a systems engineer and explains how pursuing his doctorate degree at SMAST helped advance his career path.