Black History Month and Marine Conservation

October is used to celebrate and educate on the contributions the Black community have made to society

Here are some influential black scientists that have made significant contributions to the marine sciences!

Ernest Everett Just

Ernest Everett Just is widely considered to be the first African-American marine biologist.

After graduating as the magna cum laude from Dartmouth College – the only black student in his year – Just became the head of the Zoology department at Howard University, where he conducted extensive scientific research on marine eggs and sand dollars. His research was to make revolutionary contributions to the study of cytology and fertilization in marine invertebrates.

After becoming a Julius Rosenwald Fellow in Biology of the National Research Council, he was able to further his research in Europe, where gained wide recognition for his work.

During his career, he was considered to be pioneer on the physiology of development, fertilization, experimental parthenogenesis, hydration, cell division, dehydration in living cells and UV carcinogenic radiation effects on cells. He published over 70 scientific publications as well several books and book chapters.

At the time, black advancement in science represented a means to ‘racially uplift’ the African American community. Just’s scientific work exemplified black contributions to society and was crucial to mending race relations in the early 20th century.

Despite the numerous barriers of racial discrimination that sought to hinder him, Just and his career ensured that he left an impressive legacy behind him.

Roger Arliner Young

A mentee of Ernest Everett Just, Roger Arliner Young became the first African American woman to earn a PhD in Zoology from her research on the effects of radiation on sea urchin eggs.

Initially a student of music at Howard University, Young developed a keen interest in the sciences, later switching her degree entirely to that of Zoology. She worked closely with Just who saw great potential in her. Her research also considerably help advance his own work and scientific contributions.

Even before earning her PhD, Young became the first black woman to publish a paper in the prestigious Science journal after discovering the structure of Paramecium. She was also the first black woman to conduct research at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts.

Throughout her career, Young faced setbacks as a result of racism and sexism in the field. She was also uncredited as a co-author in many published research programs towards which she contributed.

Considering this was at a time when black women were systematically denied access and opportunity in higher education and entering the sciences, Young’s achievements are considered to be even more impressive. Young and her career challenged the frame of reference and acceptance of what society thought Black women could and should be. She broke barriers and opened doors for generations of black and female students after her.

In 2018, a group of environmental and conservation groups established the Roger Arliner Young Marine Conservation Diversity Fellowship in Young’s honours, to support young African Americans wanting to be involved in marine conservation work.

Samuel Milton Nabrit

Samuel Milton Nabrit was a marine biologist who studied the regeneration of tail fins of injured and diseased fish. He published several scientific papers that are still regarded as influential in the field of science today. His impressive work and research led him to become the first African American to earn a PhD from Brown University.

Nabrit led an impressive career, being appointed as the US Ambassador for Niger, and later to the United States Atomic Energy Commission. He was one of the founding members of the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine and later served as the president of the National Institute of Science.

In 1967, Nasbrit became Brown University’s first black representative on its Board of Trustees. While on the board, he continually opened doors and created opportunities for African American students. He founded the Southern Fellowship Fund to help more African American students pursue postdoctoral degrees and taught the following four generations of African American PhD candidates.

He was also a committed civil rights activist and actively campaigned for the rights of students to participate in civil rights demonstrations.

The university still honours him today, naming the Nabrit Fellowship and the Nabrit Black Graduate Student Association after him.

Nabrit was highly influential in society as his representation in the scientific community inspired more black students to pursue the sciences and he created opportunities to help the generations of future black scientists after him.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

A leading black scientist who is currently in the process of making history is Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Johnson is a marine biologist, ocean policy expert and writer. She is the founder of Urban Ocean Lab, an urban policy think tank for coastal cities, and the conservation justice consulting firm, Ocean Collectiv.

Johnson earned an environmental science and public policy degree at Harvard University, before earning a PhD in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which focused on understanding the multi-disciplinary sustainable management approaches for coral reef resources.

Her work is largely focused on urban ocean conservation, sustainable fishing, ocean zoning, climate change and social justice. With the Blue Halo Initiative, she led the Caribbean’s first successful ocean zoning project (a policy approach that ensures the environmental resource management in oceanic environments).

She works as a consultant for ocean conservation and climate policy issues. Her consulting firm Ocean Collectiv is designed to advance ocean sustainability and conservation solutions grounded in social justice.

Johnson uses her platform to educate on ocean conservation and advocate for intersectional environmental justice.

Be sure to listen to her podcast “How to Save a Planet” that she co-hosts with Alex Blumberg here. And make sure to watch her TED talk “How to Use the Ocean Without Using it Up” here!