Aliyah Griffith Becomes The First Black Person To Earn A PH.D. In Marine Science

Aliyah Griffith recently made history as the first Black person to earn a Ph.D. in marine science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joining the less than 2% of Black scholars in the field. Her path to this milestone began with a childhood spent along the Atlantic Ocean, where the mysteries of the deep sparked her imagination. A pivotal moment came during a trip to SeaWorld, where a young Griffith asked a dolphin trainer about their actual job title, learning for the first time what a marine biologist was. “Ever since, I knew that’s what I would be,” she reflected.

Griffith’s academic journey included an internship with Paul Barber’s The Diversity Project at the University of California, Los Angeles, a summer research program designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds. There, she and her peers earned full scuba certifications and traveled to the coral reef paradise of Mo’orea in French Polynesia, gaining firsthand experience in marine ecosystems. Today, her research at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on the degradation of reefs in Barbados and how to work with local communities to manage coastal environments effectively.

In addition to her scientific work, Griffith has used her platform to inspire the next generation. As a National Geographic Explorer, she collaborated with Disney to promote the live-action film The Little Mermaid, hoping to connect young people to the wonders of the ocean. She also founded the nonprofit Mahogany Mermaids to introduce children of color to marine science, countering stereotypes about who belongs in aquatic spaces. “People have prejudices about where certain people should be and what they should be doing,” Griffith said, emphasizing the importance of showing kids that “it’s an option for our communities.”

For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Griffith has simple but powerful advice: “Don’t allow anyone else to change the way you feel about the field or about exploring the ocean.” For Griffith, mermaids symbolize this spirit of curiosity and exploration, making them a fitting emblem for her work to diversify the marine sciences.

Link: Because Of Them We Can