Minorities in the Aquatic Sciences

I'm currently a second year Undergrad student at Simmons College in Boston, where I am double majoring in Biology and Computer Science. However, before I came to Simmons I spent many years working and traveling as a sailor on tall-ships, as well as working as a wooden boat builder.

During my years of nautical work, I often found that I stood out not only as a woman in an often male dominated environment - but also as a black woman. In all of my years of sailing and boat building I never met another.

After years of living out of a backpack and traveling from one job to another, at 26 years old I decided it was finally time for me to go to College. I had been introduced to sailing while working as an AmeriCorp intern at the New England Aquarium and have since felt a deep love for anything Marine Biology related.

Although, it was this love of Biology brought me to College, I have since grown interested in Computer Science. I'm hoping to find a career path that will combine the skills I am currently acquiring as a Computer Scientist with all that I am in learning in Biology. It would be a dream come true to utilize these skills in a Marine Science environment. However, isolating such a career path has been difficult and I AM VERY OPEN TO SUGGESTION! As long as it involves continuous learning, I'm in!

While marine science is a passion (I've visited every Aquarium I come across and can spend countless hours digging around in tide pools), I have grown increasingly excited by the prospects brought by integrating technology into science. In hindsight Star Trek was my favorite show growing up, so I guess I always did have a "techie" side!

The more I learn, the more that I want to know. A good life, will be one in which I never stop learning. This said, I must say that until recently I believed that Science and Technology were beyond my means. It's unfortunate because I think as a child I showed great interest in these fields, yet somehow along the way was disillusioned to believe I wasn't capable. I wonder how many other young bright people are also being disillusioned to believe they aren't capable. I hope that while achieving my own goals, I will be able to help others realize their own.

I've joined this webpage because I'm looking for help (both advisory and monetary) concerning my academics and future career pursuits. If you feel you're able to offer advice or help please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your time.