Dr. Aomawa Shields
Astronomer, astrobiologist, and Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Jasmin Graham
Shark Scientist, environmental educator, and President/CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS)
“Diversity in scientists leads to diversity in thought which leads to innovation.”
Photo credit: Sonia Szczesna
Jasmin Graham is a marine biologist and environmental educator who champions the importance of biodiversity in our oceans and of inclusive conservation practices. Her work as an independent researcher specializing in shark science is a testament to resilience, passion, and the pursuit of scientific excellence. As the President and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), Graham promotes diversity and inclusion in the marine sciences and paves the way for a new generation of scientists. In her uplifting memoir, Sharks Don’t Sink, and inspirational talks, Graham tells the story of how she navigated through the choppy waters of traditional academia to combine conservation with social justice.
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About Jasmin Graham
Jasmin Graham is a leading figure in marine biology, renowned for her innovative research and passionate advocacy for ocean conservation. As the President and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), Graham has been instrumental in supporting women of color in shark sciences. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the ecology and conservation of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays), emphasizing the importance of protecting these vital species and their habitats.
As a young Black female scientist, she faced numerous challenges within the traditional confines of academia. She found strength and an innate connection in one of nature’s most misunderstood, yet resilient, creatures—the shark. Despite being denser than water, sharks stay afloat by constantly moving, a lesson Graham applied to her own life and career. Graham’s memoir, Sharks Don’t Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist, is a riveting and moving account of her journey. It intertwines science and social justice, offering insights on how we can all learn to respect and protect some of nature’s most vulnerable creatures—and grant the same grace to ourselves.
With her unique blend of scientific expertise and personal experience, Graham brings a powerful message of perseverance, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship to her talks. In humorous and approachable keynotes or in-conversation formats, Graham talks about the importance of biodiversity in our oceans, the need for inclusion and diversity in conservation work, and the unique biology and ecology of sharks.
Graham serves on the Board of Directors as well as the Equity and Diversity Committee for the American Elasmobranch Society. She was named the 2021 WWF Conservation Leader and is project coordinator for the MarSci-LACE project, which is focused on researching and promoting best practices to recruit, support, and retain minority students in marine science.
As part of her work to protect endangered and vulnerable marine species, particularly elasmobranchs, she works in collaboration with Havenworth Coastal Conservation to study movements of sharks in Sarasota Bay. She has been featured on Dive In with Sylvia Earle and StarTalk with Neil DeGrasse Tyson as well as several other podcasts and webinar series. She was also an organizer for the 2020 Black in Marine Science Week and is a member of Black Women in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Science (BWEEMS).
Graham graduated from the College of Charleston in 2017 with a B.S. in Marine Biology and a B.A. in Spanish. She went on to receive her MSc. in Biological Science from Florida State University through the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program. She has published numerous influential papers and has been featured in prominent media outlets such as National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, and PBS.
Contact us for more information about booking Jasmin Graham for your next event.
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Speaking Topics
Swimming Against the Tide: Creating Equity in Marine Biology
In this approachable and deeply personal talk, Jasmin Graham speaks about the impossible pressures and systemic biases she faced in academia and her triumphant rise as leader of a thriving sisterhood of fellow BIPOC female shark scientists. She talks about founding Minorities in Shark Sciences and the role grassroots organizations can play in shifting the scientific culture. Her uplifting talks inspire future generations of scientists from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM fields and marine sciences.
Empowering Communities and Collaborating for Sustainable Oceans
In this talk, Jasmin Graham outlines the importance of inclusive conservation and collaboration with all stakeholders, from scientists to local fishermen. Graham knows that marine conservation cannot be successful until everyone has a seat at the table and we look at the challenges facing our oceans from all perspectives. She shares best practices for establishing trust in communities and conducting community-led research and conservation.
From Fear to Fascination: Understanding the Biology and Conservation of Sharks
Sharks have survived on this planet for over 400 million years. In this talk, Graham dives into the unique biology and ecology of sharks and their relatives. She touches on their major threats and shows audiences why we need to move from fear to fascination if we are to protect them.
Categories: Adventure and the Great Outdoors Speakers, Black History Month Speakers, College + University Speakers, Diversity + Inclusion Speakers, Environment + Sustainability Speakers, First-Year Experience Speakers, Library + Community Reads Speakers, New Speakers, Science Speakers, Social Justice Speakers -
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Praise for Jasmin Graham
“You connected the breakout exercises to your observations of our own words, actions, and behaviors within the workshop. I think this was such an important and valuable learning moment, showing us ourselves in the mirror. In previous mentor trainings I feel like I have rarely seen the facilitator actually call us in on these instances. I am grateful and really impressed that you did so. I learned not only from the experience, but also I think you presented a model for how we can discuss, learn, and do better together when othering/tokenism/racism/etc happens in our lab/group spaces.”
— Participant of DEI WorkshopPraise for Sharks Don’t Sink
Here it is: the STEM book you can share with your young adult, a book that’s not stuffy or academic but that’ll teach you something truly interesting. . . . Friendly, thorough, smart. . . .Sharks Don’t Sink is the kind of book you’ll want to bite into twice.
— Eagle TimesA guidebook to survival and adaptability.
— Charleston Post & CourierVibrant. . . . Thrilling. . . . In this uplifting memoir, the sharks and the scientists who overcome bigotry to learn about them are the stars.
— Tampa Bay TimesA book that stands at the crossroads between science and social justice.
— The A.V. ClubJasmin’s journey, along with her love of sharks, is both fascinating and inspiring, sitting at the cross section of science and social justice. This book is a triumph.
— Emily Giffin, TODAY -
Books by Jasmin Graham
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Media About Jasmin Graham
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and Availability
- 212 572-2013
- Jasmin Graham travels from Tampa, FL
Featured Title
Sharks Don’t Sink
“Jasmin Graham has that winning combination of talent and grit needed to excel as a scientist. Every girl who wants to be a marine biologist should have this book.” —Hope Jahren, New York Times bestselling author of Lab Girl and The Story of More
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