Photo Courtesy of Aliyah Griffith
Aliyah Griffith, a third-year Pd.D student at UNC-Chapel Hill, is the CEO of Mahogany Mermaids and the first Black student to receive a degree from the university’s marine science graduate program.
According to the Daily Tar Heel, Griffith defended her marine science master’s thesis this month. Griffith’s thesis addressed the influence of hurricanes on the skeletal growth of coral, specifically Hurricane Irma and how it impacted the calcification, extension, and density of two coral species along the Florida Keys Reef Tract.
Griffith’s current focus is on coral conservation work in Barbados, where her family is originally from.
“Being able to give back to the community in the island that my ancestors are from and be a part of keeping history, as well as helping the future of the island, is something that you feel like you can’t really know unless it’s that close to home,” she said.
The marine science graduate program has been in place at UNC for over 50 years, yet Griffith is the first Black student to be accepted and receive a degree from the program.
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She notices the underrepresentation of people of color in the marine science field and has been working for years to help increase it.
“Our research and our expertise deserve to be heard,” the Bajan-American told Daily Tar Heel.
In 2016, Griffith founded Mahogany Mermaids, a nonprofit focused on promoting and uplifting children of color, specifically Black children, in the aquatic sciences.
“More recently, we shifted to more virtual perspectives by trying to offer scholarships, information, showcase funding from other sources, and build a virtual community,” Griffith said.
Griffith wants to encourage young scientists, artists, and explorers to pursue their dreams no matter the obstacles.
“‘Never let anyone put a question mark where you put a period’ – anonymous. I heard this quote years ago, and it always stuck with me. When you know or find your passion, and you trust your instincts, do not let anyone else tell you otherwise. They may say you aren’t smart enough; this wouldn’t be a good fit for you, or even that you can’t complete something because of how demanding or hard it can be. You know yourself better than anyone else, and you determine your own fate.”
Congratulations!