This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Welcome to the twenty-fifth installment of You Should Know. This week I am kicking off Women's History Month and celebrating Dynamic Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.
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Introducing.... Dr. Melanie Harrison Okoro
Dr. Okoro uses social media like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to inform and engage readers on topics in environmental science - focusing mostly on water pollution and invasive species. She likes to incorporate Art in STEM to make it hot like STEAM. She routinely posts topics to promote STEAM activities and opportunities for students in these fields. Dr. Okoro promotes this through various speaking engagements and work with non-profits such as SEM Link. She is also an Early Career Scientist on the Council of the America Geophysical Union (AGU) where she actively promotes diversity and engagement.
Dr. Okoro's work in STEAM outreach has granted her to be interviewed on NPR, KQED, KSHU, and KQED Quest. She often discusses impacts of climate change to endangered species and water quality. Her passions included mentoring youth as a Big Sister in San Francisco and being an advocate for diversity in STEAM fields through involvement with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Davis, California Chapter.
Dr. Melanie Okoro graduated with her PhD in Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and received her BS in Biology from Johnson C. Smith in 2005. While working on her PhD, Dr. Okoro moved to California to begin her work as an environmental scientist specializing in water quality and invasive species. She is also the West Coast Region Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator with the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA). Currently, Dr. Okoro works at the intersection of science and policy related to impacts of water pollution like nutrients, pesticides, and mercury, as well as aquatic invasive species like the water hyacinth and sponge plant, and how their effects on Endangered Species Act (ESA) federally listed species and their habitats.
In her own words:
In my spare time, I am an early-career scientist council member on the largest earth and space scientific organization; the American Geophysical Union (@AGU); am a mentor in Big Brother Big Sisters; die hard sports fanatic (Go Ravens); oh might I add a new mom to a sweet baby; Olivia! Fun things keep me busy like, 5:00 am feedings, writing scicomm articles in the latest edition of American scientist (@AmericanScientist); crazy spin class workouts; guest speaking about being a fisherwoman.
Links to some of her engaging material:
The Increasing Problem of Nutrient Runoff on the Coast
Career Spotlight: Water Quality Specialist
You can learn more or engage with Dr. Melanie Harrison Okoro through:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/melanie-harrison-okoro-ph-d/34/871/794
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.d.harrison
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drharrisonokoro
From March 8-14, 2015, Dr. Okoro will be tweeting from the Real Scientists Account (@RealScientists) - where she will provide live tweets of her from a day-in-the-life of a scientist. During this same time, Dr. Okoro will Onbe traveling to island of Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii! She'll be live tweeting it all - fun times with her family: vacation full of fun exciting hikes, swims, plus sneak peaks of her work at NOAA, as well as a tour of NOAA's Hawaiian offices and aquatic invasive species. And her My sister who is an officer in the US Navy, will join her. You should go follow her now and check out her life as a NOAA as a scientist and her passion for life.
Connect with her and be sure to leave a comment at one of her blog posts. There’s no better way to engage and encourage a new blogger than joining the conversation. Tell her you found him via The Urban Scientist (me, @DNLee5) and #ScholarSunday.
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I hope you’re enjoying this series of blog posts. If so, then I’d love to shine the spotlight on additional science blogs and scientists and help spread the word of amazing science outreach. If you know of a great science blog and/or science blogger who you think is amazing and would like to help spread the word about how amazing they are, then submit them. Now accepting recommendations for upcoming Science Blogger Spotlight for upcoming weeks.