Feature Stories 2025: Mia Oliveira '26: Networking the coast

As a first-generation marine biology major working and living in America's #1 fishing port, Mia Oliveira ‘26 is in the right place. "I love fish, so anytime I see one, that's a good day in my book," she said.

Oliveira started at UMassD as a crime and justice studies major to pursue environmental law, but realized her true passions lie in marine biology. "Living in the area, I've always had an interest in fisheries and the ocean because they've always been a part of my life," she said.  

In addition to the marine biology program, UMass Dartmouth is home to the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), located on the coast of New Bedford. "UMass Dartmouth was my first choice. It's a great community, and there's a lot of opportunity here."

Coastal Systems Program internship

At UMassD, ocean-loving students like Oliveira have plenty of opportunities to dive into the field—literally.  

"Last year I got an internship with the Coastal Systems Program (CSP), a water quality analytic facility at SMAST West. We go across Massachusetts and the islands to collect and analyze water quality samples. Then we send out end-of-year reports to help create environmental management plans and remediation efforts," Oliveira said.

Last summer her internship was funded by the Blue Tech Externship through Courage Builder (formally known as Tribe Academy), a local startup that accelerates students' career advancement through experiential programs.

“Oftentimes I’m out in the field, wading through the marshes, thinking to myself, ‘I can’t believe this is my job.’”

Fieldwork and lab work

Coming into her senior year, Oliveira leads multiple projects at CSP. “I work on the Cold Brook Eco Reserve in Harwich and Oyster Pond and Herring Brook in Falmouth.”

“Doing fieldwork is a lot of fun, and it does not feel like work. Oftentimes I'm out in the field, wading through the marshes, thinking to myself, ‘I can't believe this is my job.'”

“In the lab I do nutrient sampling for phosphate ammonia, so it's a lot of pipetting, using a spectrometer, and inputting data into the computer. Having that balance between lab work and field days is my favorite part of this lab,” said Oliveira. 

Office of Undergraduate Research Awards

Oliveira received multiple Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) awards to support her research. One OUR award was for her Honors APEX project, and one was for a summer project in collaboration with CSP and Professor Micheline Labrie.

"I got the OUR award for a project with CSP and Professor Labrie where we deployed big mats of native wetland plants to a polluted pond in Barnstable. We wanted to see if they would help assimilate the phosphorous pollution and provide a better alternative for how we typically do remediations," she said.

"The other award is for my APEX, which I'm doing with Professor Robert Drew. I started working with him during my very first semester and he’s been fundamental throughout my whole career. Together we took on a project funded by the OUR to identify the DNA of invasive species in the area." 

Networking for the future

Studying at UMassD and working at SMAST has helped Oliveira create valuable connections within the industry.  

"So many people are willing to talk and nerd out about the things you’re researching. You can get a lot of information, resources, and contacts by simply building your network. I have contacts for people that work for towns and land trusts across the state, and they’re all good connections for my future."

"We share the SMAST building with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), and seeing them around the hallways and hearing about what they do each day is really cool. Especially because I'd like to work for a state organization like the DMF or the Department of Fish and Game after graduation."

Advice for future Corsairs

"My advice is to advocate for yourself. No one is going to hand it to you. I came into college extremely shy and wanting to fly under the radar, but my professors told me that I have the ability to go far and encouraged me to do something with it."

"Every single professor has been incredible. If you show them that you want to succeed, they will help you. But you have to advocate for yourself. Send the email, apply, talk to professors in the hallways."