At AGULHAS, we believe in the power of connection—connection to the ocean, to nature, and to the people dedicating their lives to understanding and protecting our blue planet. This International Women and Girls in Science Day, we’re celebrating 10 inspiring women making waves in marine science. From deep-sea explorers to conservation storytellers, these women are reshaping our understanding of the ocean, one dive, discovery, and daring expedition at a time.
Dr. Sylvia Earle – The Woman Who Walked the Ocean Floor
When Sylvia Earle first set foot on the ocean floor in 1970 as part of the all-female Tektite II underwater habitat mission, she didn’t just make history—she changed the course of marine exploration. With over seven decades in ocean science, she has led over 100 expeditions, logged more than 7,000 hours underwater, and even set the record for the deepest untethered dive. Today, through her non-profit Mission Blue, she’s rallying global efforts to protect critical marine areas, known as Hope Spots, ensuring the ocean's future remains as boundless as her own pioneering spirit.
👉 Learn more about Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue
Dr. Asha de Vos – The Woman Who Gave a Voice to Sri Lanka’s Whales
In the warm waters off Sri Lanka, where shipping lanes cut across blue whale migration paths, Dr. Asha de Vos saw a problem no one else had—and decided to fix it. As a marine biologist, ocean educator, and founder of Oceanswell, she has spent years advocating for these gentle giants, proving that conservation doesn’t have to come from the Western world. Her work has transformed whale research in the Indian Ocean and given local communities a leading role in marine protection. Her latest focus? Expanding Oceanswell’s efforts to train young South Asian scientists to carry on the mission she started.
👉 Follow Asha’s work at Oceanswell
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson – The Urban Ocean Visionary
Growing up in Brooklyn, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson wasn’t surrounded by coral reefs or kelp forests, but the ocean still called to her. Now, as a marine biologist, climate policy expert, and co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, she’s proving that ocean conservation isn’t just about remote islands—it’s about coastal cities and the people who live there. Her latest project, The Climate Action Almanac, brings together diverse voices on how communities can fight climate change. She’s also the co-creator of the All We Can Save Project, dedicated to uplifting women’s leadership in climate solutions.
👉 Explore Urban Ocean Lab’s work
Dr. Karina Oliani – The Deep Diver Who Sees the Ocean as a Patient
When Dr. Karina Oliani isn’t saving lives as an emergency physician, she’s diving into some of the ocean’s most extreme environments. From swimming with tiger sharks to exploring underwater caves, Karina believes understanding the ocean is like diagnosing a patient—you have to look deeper to see what’s really going on. Through her organisation Instituto Dharma, she works to protect marine life in Brazil, raising awareness about endangered species and fighting for better ocean policies.
👉 See Karina’s latest expeditions
Danni Washington – The Storyteller Who Brings Science to Life
Not all scientists wear lab coats—some hold microphones. Danni Washington, a science communicator and TV host, has spent over a decade translating complex marine science into engaging stories. As the first Black woman to host a science TV show in the U.S., she’s breaking barriers while educating millions on the beauty and urgency of ocean conservation. Her newest project, The Big Blue & You, empowers young people to use art and media as tools for environmental change.
Dr. Imogen Napper – The Plastic Detective
Every wave lapping at the shore carries a hidden threat—microplastics. Dr. Imogen Napper, a marine scientist and National Geographic Explorer, has dedicated her career to uncovering just how deeply plastic pollution infiltrates our world. She played a key role in the research that led to the UK banning microbeads in cosmetics, and her latest studies are investigating plastic pollution in the most remote parts of our planet, from Mount Everest to the deep sea.
👉 Read about Imogen’s plastic research
Dr. Diva Amon – The Deep-Sea Biologist Who Uncovers the Unknown
What lives in the deepest, darkest parts of our planet? Dr. Diva Amon has dedicated her career to finding out. A marine biologist from Trinidad and Tobago, she studies deep-sea ecosystems, revealing the rich biodiversity hidden miles beneath the waves. As the co-founder of SpeSeas, she’s also advocating for small island nations to have a voice in deep-sea mining policies, ensuring that the ocean’s last frontier is explored responsibly.
👉 Discover Diva’s deep-sea research
Carissa Cabrera – The Conservation Filmmaker
Inspiring the Next Generation Some people protect the ocean with science—Carissa Cabrera does it with storytelling. As a marine conservationist and filmmaker, she produces digital content that makes ocean issues accessible and engaging. Her latest project, Future Swell, is a digital platform designed to help individuals take meaningful action against climate change. Whether through social media, films, or workshops, Carissa is proving that everyone has a role to play in protecting our oceans.
👉 Follow Future Swell’s mission
Giovanna Fasanelli – The Deep-Sea Explorer Seeking the Unseen
Few people have seen the ocean’s depths the way Giovanna Fasanelli has. As a Seamagine submersible pilot, marine biologist, and underwater photographer, she explores the deep ocean in ways most of us can only dream of. Her work combines science, storytelling, and adventure, giving the world a rare glimpse into fragile deep-sea ecosystems. Her latest focus? Raising awareness about the importance of deep-sea protection in the face of growing industrial threats.
👉 See Giovanna’s latest deep-sea dives
Dr. Erika Woolsey – The Virtual Reality Marine Scientist
Not everyone can dive a coral reef, but thanks to Dr. Erika Woolsey, they might not have to. As a marine biologist and founder of The Hydrous, she’s using virtual reality to bring the underwater world to people who may never experience it firsthand. By combining cutting-edge tech with marine conservation, she’s giving people around the world a first-person experience of our planet’s most fragile ecosystems—hoping that when they see it, they’ll fight to protect it.
👉 Explore The Hydrous’ virtual dives
The Future is Blue
From the lab to the deep sea, from film to policy, these women are leading the way in ocean science and conservation. Their work reminds us that there is no single path to protecting our planet—only the one we each choose to take.
This International Women and Girls in Science Day, let’s celebrate these ocean changemakers and support their work. The ocean needs all of us. 💙