My name is Rose Santana. I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Florida to study marine science four years ago. I recently graduated with my Bachelors in Marine Biology and Minors in Environmental Studies and Marine and Coastal Affairs. And I currently work as a Lab Manager at Florida International University before applying for Graduate School next year.

When I was little I would always tell people that I wanted to be a veterinarian. I even went to college on a pre-vet track. However, the ocean had always been a wonderful and mysterious place to me. I spent countless days fishing with my dad and several summers visiting family in Myrtle Beach, SC, but I had no idea that you could study the ocean and its inhabitants as a job.

In June of 2020 we, the soon-to-be co-founders of MISS, connected/reconnected on Twitter through #BlackInNature, a hashtag that went viral after @BlackAFInSTEM launched Black Birders Week. As the hashtag grew we slowly increased our ranks. Suddenly, four women who had felt completely isolated now had a community of scientists that looked like them.

I am currently a PhD Candidate in Marine Science at North Carolina State University. I was born and raised in Stone Mountain GA, youngest of three daughters. I love the Atlanta Falcons and boiled peanuts are my favorite southern snack!

Growing up on an island that was only 26 miles long and 2 miles wide you couldn’t escape the sea if you tried. The sea and trips to the beach were a regular occurrence for me throughout my childhood, but it really wasn’t until 6th form (year 12) that I decided to get serious about a career in marine biology.

Ida-Wenona Hendricks is a Tropical marine biologist, naturalist and budding taxonomist; she shares with us her journey as a Black African female marine biologist. Her unique experiences and the hurdles she has had to overcome in the industry. As a Namibian marine biologist Ida has faced repercussions for questioning neo-colonial practices in her home country. In addition, Ida is helping women of colour to protect their beautiful coils from saltwater in an eco-friendly way.