Black Excellence
Aliyah Griffith becomes first Black graduate to earn a Ph.D. in marine science at UNC
As a scholar in marine science, her work focuses on coral reef ecosystems. She integrates scuba diving, satellite imagery, and remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) to study reef resilience and management.
Aliyah Griffith, known as @thedrmermaid, made history at UNC Chapel Hill, becoming the first Black person to earn a Ph.D. in marine science from the university.
Her achievement places her among the less than 2% of Black scholars in the field.
Griffith is the CEO and founder of Mahogany Mermaids, a nonprofit inspiring children of color to engage in aquatic sciences.
As a scholar in marine science, her work focuses on coral reef ecosystems. She integrates scuba diving, satellite imagery, and remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) to study reef resilience and management.
Griffith, a Hampton University alum, made history in 2022 as UNC Chapel Hill’s first Black Marine Sciences master’s graduate.
Congratulations, Dr. Aliyah Griffith!