Daniel Leite (MA, 2015)

Daniel Leite (MA, 2015) is currently working as a Marine Fauna Observer (MFO/PSO), PAM operator, and Environmental Advisor on a seismic project in Abu Dhabi where he monitors marine protected species in order to apply the mitigation measures required by the client and environmental agency. As an MFO Daniel visually monitors the designated area or exclusion zone looking for animals. As a PAM operator, he deploys hydrophones and other software in the water in order to gather acoustic information. As an Environmental Advisor, Daniel participates in many different kinds of environmental surveys, looking for anything that may have implications on the project.

Originally from São Paulo, Brasil, Daniel earned his Bachelor ‘s of Science in Oceanography from the Universidade Federal do Paraná (Federal University of Paraná). As an international student, Daniel states that his favorite part of the Marine Conservation and Policy (MCP) program at SoMAS was being able to study at a top university in the United States and have a chance to live on Long Island. The MCP program also gave him a better foundation on policy issues that he works on daily.

During the program, Daniel interned at NOAA/NEFSC in Rhode Island, studying different fisheries’ vulnerability to climate change. In his free time, he loves spending time with his friends outside–surfing, scuba-diving, or other activities.