From Passion to Marine Sciences Career

Growing up, Ms. Thomas was fascinated by nature documentaries and the diversity of marine life. Visits to the beach, especially Down the Islands and the Bon Accord Lagoon, Tobago, captivated her with their vibrant coral reefs and diverse species. While the ocean always provided a sense of calm and inspiration, witnessing the impacts of human activities, particularly marine litter, motivated her to help protect these environments.

Through the Coral Reef Ecology course of the B.A.Sc. in Coast and Ocean Sciences and the Tropical Marine Ecology course in the M.Sc. in Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management, she gained valuable knowledge of ecosystem dynamics, resilience, threats, and management strategies. These programmes also provided hands-on experience in coral reef, mangrove, and seagrass surveys, laboratory techniques, and species identification.

One of her most memorable field experiences was a night dive at Store Bay, Tobago during the Coral Reef Ecology course, where she observed stingrays, eels, Caribbean spiny lobsters, and sea urchins. Field surveys at the Bon Accord Lagoon were also highlights, where she encountered sea cucumbers, queen conch, diverse coral and sponge communities, and reef fish such as French angelfish and surgeonfish. These programmes provided a strong foundation that supported her progression to pursue a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Deep-Sea Biology. 

As a marine biologist specialising in tropical marine and deep-sea ecology, Eugenia has contributed to international and regional projects across the United States, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Grenada, and Brazil. Her work includes coral reef and microplastics research, environmental baseline and socio-economic assessments, laboratory analyses, and participation in international policy meetings and scientific conferences.

Her advice to future students:

"Take full advantage of the knowledge, field experience, and networking opportunities these programmes provide. The training and exposure gained through UTT Marine Sciences can open doors to careers in research, environmental consultancy, and marine management. Because of this programme, I am now able to conduct ecological surveys, contribute to environmental assessments, and participate in local and international scientific initiatives."