NAME: DENISSE GAILLE T.

LEONORAS

CURRENT POSITION/TITLE: Southwest Fisheries Science Center, San

Diego California

EMPLOYER: Marine Biotechnology

DEGREE/INSTTITUTION: Bachelor of Science in Biology; Master of Science

in Marine Biology / University of the Philippines - Diliman

MAJOR(s): Major in Marine Biology

MINOR(s): Minor in Zoology

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Studying and protecting marine organisms and their environments.

 Investigating the behavior and physiological processes of marine species, or the diseases and
environmental conditions affecting them.
 Conducting a research on species inventories, testing and monitoring sea creatures exposed to
pollutants.
 Collects and tests ocean samples, preserving specimens and samples of unknown species and
diseases.
 Investigate the adaptations and advantages of marine species and how they might be applied to
industrial processes.
 Use and maintain instrumentation used to track organisms and measure the properties of the
environment.
 Consult and work to rebuild damaged marine ecosystems.
 Provide assistance to fisheries management and coast guard units as required.
 Use computer modelling to build predictive data for the marine ecosystem.
 Review research and literature relating to current discoveries in the field.

WHAT I LIKE MOST OF MY JOB:

Marine life plays a very important role during the course of my childhood, thus opening my
interest and knowledge on the scope of ocean life. Due to curiosity and the interest to learn more, with
the help of encyclopedias and almanacs, I was able to learn different animals living on open oceans and
how they thrive for foods and survive life.

My everyday interaction with the ocean still amazes me up to this day as I was able to see the
entire blue and wide ocean in front of my naked eyes. The shining blue waters, the species found in the
depths of the sea, and the mysteries and creatures left untold in the midst of this ocean sparks up my
interest and determination to continue my work as long as I’m still alive. As a marine biologist, I was able
to determine the flow of the water, how the dolphins, sharks and whales differ from each other, how they
thrive for food, and how I feel connected with the ocean’s breeze and warmth.

Different researches and proposals were taken into account regarding the growth and loss of
corals in the oceans, thus making it dangerous for the animals for their habitats are decreasing due to
natural occurrences and human activities. As a marine biologist, it is my job to discover a new technique
on how to regrow corals with the use of scientific knowledge and processes. Being a marine biologist
helped me to become a full grown human being, looking back on its environment and teaching people the
importance of ocean life.

WHAT I LIKE LEAST ABOUT MY JOB:

Due to the low number of Marine Biotechnologists in the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, it
is not only my job to be a biotechnologist but I was also assigned to other fields such as an aquarists and
oceanographer.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE PRERPARING TO BE A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR:

Anyone who aspires to be a marine biologist should possess a compassionate interest and
determination to continue and learn new things in the ocean life. Researches and proposals should be
open for you for the benefit of not only the ocean life, but also for the betterment of the individuals.