For Aliyah Griffith, becoming a marine scientist has been a goal since she was merely 5 years old. Now, this lifelong dream is becoming a reality, as Griffith has become the first Black student to earn a graduate degree in marine science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill).

Griffith, whose research interests include coral reef ecophysiology and conservation, graduated with her master’s from UNC-Chapel Hill last month. She specifically wrote her master’s thesis on the impact that hurricanes have on coral reef growth.

Now that she’s made history at the prestigious institution, she aims to help inspire other Black students to pursue their dreams as well.

“I’ve heard from a lot of African American men who, when they were younger, wanted to be marine scientists and somewhere along the way, someone kind of burst a bubble,” Griffith told the Atlanta Black Star.

“I feel like it only makes me want to get the information out more and collaborate with different organizations to hold safe spaces where they can ask questions and feel heard and be curious about what they would potentially love,” she continued.

While discussing her accomplishment, Griffith was sure also to shout out one of her alma maters: Hampton University, one of only 2 HBCUs with a marine science program.

“I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better path,” she said of her experience at the HBCU.

Griffith will continue her graduate studies and work towards a PhD at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Once she wraps up with her doctorate, she aims to focus on coral conservation work, as well as educating people at museums and aquariums.

In addition to her scholarly and professional pursuits, Griffith also runs a nonprofit called MahoganyMermaids. The organization’s mission is fostering a love for marine aquatics in Black children by providing mentorship, swimming lessons, and sea dives.

“I think the biggest thing is providing them the groundwork and understanding that you’re welcome in this field, and that you can flourish in this field, and that you’re not alone and there’s a multitude of people who can help uplift you,” she said of MahoganyMermaids.

She also aims to use her expertise to help launch a project that would allow Barbadian researchers to more effectively examine coral reefs.

“Understanding how they’ve changed over time and how they might be changing due to climate change and or human stressors is really imperative on understanding what will happen to us and them in the future,” Griffith said.

Shoutout to Aliyah Griffith for being a trailblazing all-star in her field!

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