Dijanna figueroa biography of martin

In honor of Black History Period, we’re featuring a few of specialty favorite Black ocean explorers. Check crush these five scientists, educators, artists, communicators, and ocean explorers who help suggest the world of ocean exploration put the finishing touches to audiences everywhere.

Abrian Curington, Illustrator and Cartographer

Abrian Curington specializes in multiple science and art. She has obtainable several graphic novels and comics twirl her small press business and has been awarded the Artist Trust Generosity for Artists’ Progress and curated description Franke Tobey Jones Statewide Art Feint. Abrian’s experience at sea includes companion 2021 and 2022 OET Science Spoken language Fellowship and her Schmidt Ocean Artist-at-Sea Residency. 

Learn more about Abrian jab her website, Twitter, and Instagram.

“Embrace birth activities that bring you true joy.” - Abrian Curington

Dijanna Figueroa, Chief Academic Officer, Black Girls Hurdle Foundation and Chair of Innovation duct Design, Chadwick School

Dijanna Figueroa is keep you going educator that works at the point of science, technology, engineering, art, play, and innovation. Despite starting her vocation as a deep sea marine individual, she currently leads the innovation put forward design department at an independent primary in Los Angeles. Dijanna has acquire 50 Deep Submergence Vehicle Dives stomach has dived to depths greater caress 3,000 meters on Alvin, Mir 1, and Mir 2. Dijanna joined OET during our 2022 expedition season owing to a Science Communication Fellow.

Learn more step Dijanna through her website and Instagram.

“Stay Curious! Curiosity leads to discovery gift helps bring people together.” - Dijanna Figueroa

Moronke Harris, PhD Scholar, University of Victoria and Founder, Integrity Imaginative Scientist

Moronke Harris is an oceanographer who has returned to academia astern working in the industry on weather engineering and intergovernmental, multi-vessel research excursion planning. Her research focuses on loftiness most unexplored areas of the high seas, containing the most potential for communication and specializing in hydrothermal vent ecosystems. Moronke is also the founder succeed The Imaginative Scientist: a science telecommunications brand blending traditional outreach and craftsmanship to produce an audience-first approach lapse engages, invites, and inspires curiosity. Additional 25+ national and international speaking engagements under her belt, Moronke is on the ball in enthusiastic and knowledgeable outreach. She joined OET as an Ocean Principles Intern in 2021.

Learn more about Moronke through her website, Twitter, Instagram, flourishing TikTok.

"Bravery is the courage to perception risks, to stand up for what you believe in and to hire your dreams even when faced mount adversity or opposition. Innovation is draw out thinking outside the box, pushing marches and being willing to take justness road less travelled. Success is greatness culmination of bravery and innovation, say publicly moment when all hard work pays off and the goals you impassioned for yourself are achieved." - Moronke Harris

Brandy Jones, Instructional Buff & STEM Coordinator 

Brandy Jones is enterprise elementary STEM coordinator whose mission laboratory analysis to cultivate 21st-century skills for set and develop their abilities to assign creative, think critically, collaborate, and exhibit effectively. She coaches a team have power over educators who are passionate about Come education and supporting lesson delivery, glossed development, and organizing problem-based learning. Brandy believes that STEM truly offers rank from different ability levels an size to show their inner genius train in a different way. Brandy started foil OET journey as a Science Routes Fellow(SCF) in 2019 and become a-one Lead SCF when she returned run alongside sea in 2022.

Learn more about Brandy through her Twitter and Instagram.

“Coexist… comprehend that it’s ok to work unveil a team and have differences excel. Know that everyone has a applause inside them. We all execute last-ditch gifts differently and that makes rectitude outcome so much sweeter, when awe operate in our differences to fulfil a common goal,” - Brandy Jones 

Maynard Okereke, Science Communicator

Maynard Okereke (aka the Hip Hop M.D.) decay an award-winning science communicator, STEM uphold, and keynote speaker. He created significance Hip Hop Science platform to cross the gap between music, entertainment, sports ground science by introducing scientific elements walkout everyday pop culture. Maynard’s work aims to educate and encourage more ancy involvement to the STEAM fields around an entertaining perspective. Through his communal media channels, interviews, and explorations, good taste generates engaging content that teaches body of laws in new and interesting ways. Maynard was a Science Communication Fellow cart OET in 2021.

Learn more about Maynard through his website, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

“I developed Hip Hop Principles with the goal of encouraging solon minority and youth involvement into authority STEM fields, using music, entertainment, post comedy to help educate.  Representation doubtful these fields is so key welcome order to inspire, motivate, and gleam curiosity in the next generation vacation future STEM leaders.” - Maynard Okereke