Black Nerds Matter

Hello everyone, welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Joining us on today’s episode is Teja Deonarine, a marine biology graduate with a strong passion for conservation. Teja has worked with major institutions like the New York, Virginia, and Mystic Aquariums, played a key role in initiatives like The Hudson River Project, and even uses her unique platform as a mermaid performer to inspire others and promote sustainability and ocean conservation.

 Welcome to Black Nerds Matter! Today, we're thrilled to introduce TreVaughn Ellis—a NOAA Hollings and Udall Scholar, recent American University graduate, and multi-talented artist, scientist, beekeeper, and firefighter! TreVaughn’s incredible journey has taken him from the classroom to the coastlines, and even to Oregon's wildlands as a firefighter.

In this episode of Black Nerds Matter, we’re excited to welcome Jasmine Suarez, a multi-award-winning technologist, mentor, and advocate with a Master’s in Information Technology Management and Cybersecurity from Colorado State University-Global. Jasmine has worked as an advisor on Capitol Hill, guiding national and international leaders on technology security policies and innovative approaches in cybersecurity. As a queer woman and passionate advocate, she speaks openly about her experiences breaking barriers in tech as an underrepresented voice and shares how her journey shaped her resilience and ambition.

In this exciting episode, we welcome Madeleine Pacheco, a 2nd-year PhD student in the Barber Lab at UCLA, UC Santa Barbara alumna, and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipient. Madeleine shares her unique journey into the world of marine science, reflecting on how her upbringing, heritage, and community shaped her path as a scientist. As the first Hispanic guest on Black Nerds Matter, she opens up about the influence of her cultural identity on her research and experiences in STEM.

Welcome to the 6th episode of Black Nerds Matter!  We’re joined by Cameron Cooper, a recent graduate from Morehouse College and a current Health Equity Scholar pursuing his Master’s in Public Health at Brown University. Cameron’s academic journey is nothing short of inspiring, as he’s been a part of numerous prestigious programs, including SMASH Morehouse, McNair Scholars, The Diversity Project, and the USHA at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Welcome to the 5th episode of Black Nerds Matter! In this exciting episode, I’m joined by Dr. Raven "The Science Maven" Baxter, a powerhouse in science communication, a Forbes 40 Under 40 honoree, and a University of Buffalo alumna. Dr. Baxter shares her incredible journey into making science accessible and fun, all while breaking down barriers in the world of STEM.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome our first remote guest, Anisa Sellers! Anisa is an educator at the Virginia Aquarium, a Virginia State University (VSU) graduate, and an alumna of The Diversity Project. She shares her inspiring journey into marine science, discussing the role her family played in supporting her along the way.

Walter Smith Jr, an environmental engineer at the Sierra Club, explores his background coming from a notable HBCU, living in South Africa around Apartheid, and the importance of science to the Black community.