IMET GSA President Q&A with Ronita Sequeira

1. Briefly explain your thesis defense from earlier this summer. How has successfully defending your master’s prepared you for this role?

I defended my master’s this summer on fish communities in Baltimore Harbor. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. I couldn’t wait to share my results, but I was also balancing many responsibilities at once. Getting through it taught me how to stay organized and keep moving when everything is happening at the same time. Moving from my master’s into a PhD also showed me how much support makes a difference during big transitions. That is what I want the GSA to provide. I’m excited to connect students with one another and with faculty, and I know this role will take real time and attention, just like my defense did.

2. A presidential role is a big one that requires leadership and emotional intelligence; what leadership qualities have you seen here at IMET that have really inspired you?

Dr. Schott’s ability to stay calm during chaos is inspiring. He is incredibly supportive and focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems, which makes me want to be more like him. Dr. Hill is kind, polite, and always has a listening ear. He’s very soft-spoken, which makes him easy to open up to. Chénira Smith has helped me build my confidence and discover the outreach enthusiast in me. She fueled my excitement and channeled it into something meaningful, and she has been a great mentor and friend throughout. Our former GSA presidents, Ally and Joanne, made this role look effortless and solved problems before I even knew I had them. What inspires me most is that all of these leaders lead quietly and proactively, and they make everyone around them feel supported.

3. What is your field of study, and why does it matter?

I’m a marine biologist working on blue crab aquaculture. Blue crabs are a limited and important resource in the Chesapeake Bay, and they are deeply tied to Maryland’s culture and connection to the water. Their numbers are declining because of pressures like cannibalism, disease, and predation. The soft-shell crab industry is declining too. Imported soft-shell crabs are replacing local ones, and the fishing-related jobs that come with them are disappearing. Soft-shell crabs are currently produced by holding crabs from the wild until they molt, and that process has very high mortality. Oysters went from wild harvest to aquaculture, and my research asks whether blue crabs can follow the same path. I raise crabs in outdoor field cages and compare fed and unfed groups to see how they grow and survive. Early results are promising, since the caged crabs grow and feeding helps sustain that growth. Culturing blue crabs could support Maryland’s soft-shell industry while easing pressure on the Bay’s wild population.

4. What can the Baltimore community do to help solve this problem?

Blue crabs need a healthy Bay, so anything that improves water quality helps them. Baltimore residents can cut back on lawn fertilizer, keep trash out of storm drains, and join local cleanup and restoration events. When you buy crabs, especially soft-shells, choose Maryland crabs over imported ones and ask restaurants where their crabs come from. Buying local supports watermen and the jobs connected to the Bay. If you go crabbing yourself, follow the size and harvest rules. Most of all, stay curious and get involved. Visiting the National Aquarium or coming to IMET’s open house are great ways to learn how science is helping the Bay.

5. What do you envision for the Graduate Student Association during your term?

IMET is unique because our students are connected to several institutions, including UMBC, UMCES, and UMB, and that can be a lot to navigate. Ally and Emily built valuable resources, such as the database of funding and conference opportunities, and I want to keep those growing and make sure every student knows they exist. My goal is to make grad school a little easier, with one less thing for students to figure out on their own. I also want to keep the food pantry and our other student resources going strong so everyone has the support they need.