Outreach

*Girguis Lab postdoc Dr. Andrea Unzueta-Martinez is preparing to talk to Ecuadorians about our research in the western Galapagos vent fields. (Alex Ingle)*

Members of the Girguis Lab are committed to sharing ocean science with the broader community. We seek out opportunities to encourage and support people who want to pursue a career in ocean science. We create opportunities for high-school students to work in research labs. We also reach out to the broader public through programs like Skype-A-Scientist. The paragraphs below represent some of the efforts we founded or participate in.

Peerside

A program that broadens access and ongoing involvement with the ocean via social, educational, technical, and professional support for those interested in ocean science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Genes, Ecosystems, Organisms (GEO) Research Experience for Undergraduates

An REU that aims to provide young scientists from diverse backgrounds with training and support to pursue PhDs in the broad fields of evolution, ecology, and environmental biology.

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Marine Science Internship Program

This program provides local students with hands-on lab experience, working alongside Harvard graduate students and researchers on projects with real-world applications.

Aliquam

In collaboration with Mr. Anthony Gordon, the Cannes Festival award-winning director of a short documentary film about kids from underrepresented groups that snorkel and dive for the first time, the Girguis Lab is working to give kids a chance to “play in the deep sea!” Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Skype-A-Scientist (ad hoc advisor)

In addition to public engagement programming, SaS hosts a database of thousands of scientists and connects scientists with classrooms, families, libraries, scout troops, and more all over the globe to give students the opportunity to get to know a real scientist and get the answers to their questions straight from the source.

Scientists Spotlights Initiative

Scientist Spotlights Initiative aims to promote diversity and inclusion in science—middle school through college—through development, assessment, and dissemination of curriculum supplements that bring science role models to students in the context of learning science content. Scientist Spotlights are most often built by college and university students—in particular students of color, first-generation college-going students, and LGBTQ+ students—in the context of their own undergraduate studies in service-learning courses. This development process assures that the scientists highlighted are most likely to connect and resonate with other undergraduate students and younger pre-college students. The Scientist Spotlights Initiative is graciously funded by the SEPA—Science Education Partnership Award—Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
See Dr. Girguis’ profile →

Past efforts

Harvard “Academy Scholars” Program

Academy Scholars are appointed for a two-year in-residence postdoctoral fellowship at The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. They are mentored by the Harvard Academy Senior Scholars, a cohort of faculty members who act as a selection committee, participate in Harvard Academy events, and are committed to supporting the Academy Scholars as they work to achieve their potential.

Increasing Diversity and Education Access to Sciences (IDEAS)

This HHMI, led by Dr. Rich Losick, supported students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds who were pursuing their degrees at Harvard.