Diva Amon
The Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography presents the Yentsch-Schindler Early Career Award each year to an early career scientist who has made outstanding and balanced contributions to research, education, and society. The 2022 Yentsch-Schindler Early Career Award is being presented to Dr. Diva Amon for her outstanding scientific research, communication, and policy contributions to the field of deep-sea biodiversity and ocean-health research which have created lasting, measurable international impact and driven equitable deep ocean conservation, protection, and policy-making. Dr. Amon will receive her award at the 2022 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in May.
Dr. Diva Amon is a Caribbean marine biologist and an early-career leader working in the broad areas of deep-sea megafaunal biology and human impacts on the deep sea. She is a Director and Founder of the non-profit, non-governmental organization SpeSeas which is dedicated to fostering scientific study, engaging and educating stakeholders, and advocating for the sustainable use of the seas surrounding Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. In addition, Dr. Amon serves as part of the Executive of the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative and as a Pew-Bertarelli Ocean Ambassador.
Dr. Amon has participated in numerous scientific expeditions around the world. Her knowledge and findings on deep-sea biology and conservation, published in >50 peer-reviewed publications, have been used regularly to advise governments on effective ocean policy. In addition, Dr. Amon communicates her work on equitable deep-ocean conservation to the public through social media engagement and on numerous TV shows and film, including on National Geographic, CNN International and BBC World.
“Dr. Amon is an influential early-career scientist devoted to working at the nexus of science, policy, and communication” says ASLO President, Roxane Maranger. “Her singular talents as a researcher, conservationist, and educator are an inspiration and illustrate how scientists can effectively and creatively disseminate their work to lead to positive change. Her work is innovative, courageous, and imperative. It invites the research community to engage in a broader way to protect our oceans.”