Dr. Alyssa J. Griffin
Overview:
Bio
Dr. Griffin entered her undergraduate education as a Vocal Performance major, but fell in love with earth science after taking an Intro to Geology course. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Geology and Religion (double major) from Temple University. She began research in carbon mineralization as an undergraduate and continued this research as a Master’s student, also at Temple University with Dr. David Grandstaff. After receiving her Master’s in Geology, Alyssa took a position as a Staff Geologist for an environmental consulting firm in Brea, California. It didn’t take long for Alyssa to fully recognize her irrefutable passion for scientific research and education, which prompted her return to academia. At Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Alyssa studied the role of carbonate dissolution in shallow marine environments (primarily in coral reefs) and how shallow carbonate sediments will respond to changing ocean chemistry. She joined the the Ocean Climate Lab at University of California, Davis’ Bodega Marine Laboratory as a UC Davis Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow where she worked with Dr. Tessa Hill on carbon storage and cycling in seagrass sediments. As a woman of color, she has experienced the inequalities of her field first-hand and is passionate about changing these demographics and experiences for future generations of geoscientists. She served as an Inaugural Scripps Community Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Fellow and has received multiple honors for her work towards justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM. She still sings professionally from time to time and enjoys seeing live music and being in nature with her wonderful partner Ted, and their daughter Ramani.*nope, not a typo.