🌊 Diversity in Marine Sciences 🌊

Exploring the Contributions of Underrepresented Scientists in Ocean Research

Personal Connection

In 1998, I saw the most captivating speaker at Rutgers University. All these years later, I couldn't tell you what John Roughgarden talked about, but I can tell you that I was spellbound by the passion with which he spoke. After the talk, I hovered around the group surrounding the speaker, eager to hear more of their voice and the piercing truths they spoke. As my turn to make a personal connection approached, I was tongue tied and squeaked out, "Thank you for such a great talk." John focused these intensely dark eyes on me and said, "Well, you are exactly the person I'm here to inspire. Thank you for your bravery in being who you are. Great tattoos."

My next interaction with this person came about 6 years later while reading an article by Joan Roughgarden. Was this John's sister? After a little digging and research, I found that John and Joan once inhabited the same body, but now Joan is the rightful owner. I don't think I realized the importance of my meeting with John and my discovery of her transition until I found myself as a person with disabilities 30 years later. With STEM fields having less than a 9% representation of people with disabilities, representation is desperately needed. I am here to inspire you much in the way that Joan inspired me.

Why This Matters

For too long, marine science has been dominated by a narrow demographic that doesn't reflect the diversity of people who care about and depend on the ocean. When we only hear from one type of scientist, we miss out on different perspectives, questions, and solutions that could come from people with different lived experiences.

Diverse teams produce better science. Studies show that research teams with diverse backgrounds ask different questions, challenge assumptions, and produce more innovative solutions. The ocean belongs to everyone, and ocean science should reflect that.

In this assignment, you'll learn about marine scientists from underrepresented communities who have made—and continue to make—significant contributions to our understanding and protection of the ocean.

📋 Assignment Objectives

  • Research a marine scientist from an underrepresented community
  • Understand their contributions to marine science and conservation
  • Reflect on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in science
  • Consider barriers faced by underrepresented scientists and how to address them
  • Recognize that science is for everyone, regardless of identity or background
📚 Assignment Instructions: Choose ONE scientist from the options below. Research their life, work, and contributions to marine science. Then answer the research questions and reflection prompts. You'll need to find at least 3 reliable sources (academic articles, reputable news sources, official biographies, etc.).

📤 SUBMISSION: When you've completed your work, go to the Assignments link in Brightspace to find the submission link for this assignment. You can submit either a PDF (using the Print/Save button below) or upload the downloaded Word document.

Complete offline and submit via Brightspace Assignments link


📝 CITATION HELP: Need help with citations? Try the CSE Citation Generator in the last module of this course!

🔗 Research Resources

Use these resources to help you research your chosen scientist. Each scientist card below also includes starting links when you select them!

Select Your Scientist to Research

Click on a card to select the scientist you'd like to research. You'll get starter links to begin your research, and the research questions will appear below.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Black Woman Living
Marine biologist, policy expert, and co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab. Leading voice in ocean conservation and climate justice, emphasizing how ocean policies affect coastal communities of color.
🔬 Field: Conservation Policy & Climate Justice
Dr. Ashanti Johnson
Black Woman Living
Marine geochemist studying pollutants in coastal environments. Passionate advocate for diversity in ocean sciences, founding programs to support underrepresented minorities in geoscience careers.
🔬 Field: Marine Geochemistry & Science Education
Dr. Tiara Moore
Black Woman Living
Marine ecologist and National Geographic Explorer studying sharks and rays. Founded Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) to support women of color in marine science and increase representation.
🔬 Field: Shark & Ray Ecology
Dr. Joan Roughgarden
Transgender Woman Living
Theoretical ecologist studying rocky intertidal ecosystems and island biogeography. Challenged traditional evolutionary biology views and wrote extensively on gender diversity in nature.
🔬 Field: Evolutionary Ecology & Marine Ecosystems
Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner
Marshallese Woman Pacific Islander Living
Climate activist and poet from the Marshall Islands, advocating for ocean protection and climate justice for Pacific island nations threatened by sea level rise. Uses art and poetry to communicate ocean science.
🔬 Field: Climate Activism & Ocean Advocacy
Dr. Kakani Katija
Woman of Color Pacific Islander Heritage Living
Bioengineer at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute studying how marine animals move through water. Develops innovative technology to study deep-sea creatures and their locomotion.
🔬 Field: Marine Bioengineering & Deep-Sea Research
Dr. Ernest Everett Just
Black Man Historical Figure
Pioneering marine biologist (1883-1941) who conducted groundbreaking research on fertilization and cell division using marine organisms. Overcame severe racial discrimination to become internationally recognized.
🔬 Field: Cell Biology & Developmental Biology
Dr. Daniel Pauly
Mixed Heritage European/Asian Living
World-renowned fisheries scientist who developed the concept of "shifting baselines syndrome." Created FishBase, the world's largest fish database. Overcame difficult childhood to become highly influential.
🔬 Field: Fisheries Science & Marine Conservation
Dr. Enric Sala
Latino/Hispanic Spanish Living
National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence who founded Pristine Seas project. Has helped establish 25+ marine reserves protecting over 6 million square kilometers of ocean.
🔬 Field: Marine Conservation & Exploration
Dr. Ben Barres
Transgender Man Neuroscientist Historical
While primarily a neuroscientist, Barres (1954-2017) was a powerful advocate for women and minorities in STEM. His unique perspective experiencing science as both female and male informed his advocacy work. Notable for speaking about gender bias in science.
🔬 Field: Science Advocacy & STEM Diversity
Dr. Devyn Orr
Non-Binary They/Them Living
Marine and restoration ecologist focusing on kelp forest ecosystems and climate change impacts. Vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in marine science and environmental justice.
🔬 Field: Marine Ecology & Restoration
Autumn Peltier
Indigenous Woman Anishinaabe Living
Water rights activist from Wikwemikong First Nation who began advocacy at age 8. Addressed UN General Assembly as teenager about water protection. Advocates for clean water and marine ecosystem health.
🔬 Field: Water Conservation & Indigenous Rights
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
Indigenous Woman Potawatomi Living
Plant ecologist and author who bridges indigenous knowledge with Western science. While focused on plants, her work on freshwater ecology connects to marine systems. Author of "Braiding Sweetgrass."
🔬 Field: Ecology & Indigenous Science
Dr. Temple Grandin
Autistic Woman Disability Advocate Living
While primarily known for animal science, Grandin is a powerful example of neurodiversity in science. Has spoken about how her autism gives her unique insights into animal behavior—applicable to marine mammals.
🔬 Field: Animal Behavior & Neurodiversity in Science
Haben Girma
Deafblind Woman Disability Rights Living
First deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. Advocates for accessibility in STEM fields and environmental justice. Demonstrates that disability doesn't limit contribution to science and advocacy.
🔬 Field: Accessibility & Environmental Advocacy
Dr. Lillian Otieno
Deaf Woman Kenyan Living
Marine conservationist and Kenya's first deaf scuba diver. Works on coastal ecosystem restoration and coral reef monitoring in the Indian Ocean. Advocates for disability inclusion in marine fieldwork and diving programs.
🔬 Field: Coral Reef Conservation & Accessible Diving
Marcel Nogueira
Deaf Man Brazilian Living
Marine biologist and conservation diver working on sea turtle protection along Brazil's coast. Founder of initiatives promoting ocean science careers for deaf youth. Demonstrates how visual communication skills enhance underwater research.
🔬 Field: Sea Turtle Conservation & Marine Biology Education
Dr. Ertharin Cousin
Black Woman Living
Former Executive Director of UN World Food Programme, focusing on food security including sustainable fisheries and ocean-based nutrition for developing countries.
🔬 Field: Food Security & Sustainable Fisheries
Dr. Adelle Thomas
Black Woman Bahamian Living
Climate scientist from the Bahamas studying climate change impacts on Small Island Developing States. IPCC lead author focusing on ocean warming and sea level rise impacts on Caribbean nations.
🔬 Field: Climate Science & Island Nations
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
Indigenous/Latino Aztec Heritage Living
Youth climate activist and hip-hop artist who began environmental activism at age 6. Addressed the UN on climate change and ocean acidification. Bridges indigenous knowledge with youth activism.
🔬 Field: Climate Activism & Youth Advocacy