Degree program: M.A.M.A
Year accepted: 2025
Advisor: TBD
Research:  MPA Implementation and impacts on fish stocks near coastal communities
Background: B.S. Marine Sciences, Minor Creative Writing, Stony Brook University

Profile: 

Brianna Shaw is from Queens, New York, and is currently working to receive her Master of Arts in Marine Affairs (M.A.M.A) at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Her interest in the ocean began with a marine science class in high school and has since compounded, leading her to pursue a career in the field. Brianna attended Stony Brook University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science as well as a minor in Creative Writing. During her time as an undergraduate, she gained hands-on experience as an educator, working with various marine species at the New York Aquarium. She also completed a summer internship with the Marine Biological Laboratory and had the opportunity to present her findings at the Partnership Education Program Symposium and the SACNAS 2024 NDiSTEM Conference. It was the encouragement of a judge at the SACNAS event that led her to pursue the M.A.M.A. program at URI.

Currently, she serves as a Teaching Assistant for introductory biology labs, a role she enjoys for the opportunity it provides to interact with and inspire students. Her academic interests center on the relationships and disputes among local communities and governmental organizations regarding ocean issues, as well as fisheries management. She is an active member of Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science and Black in Marine Science, communities that support representation and collaboration in the field.

Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue her passions in marine sciences internationally, perhaps living in Barbados, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or Malta. Beyond her studies, Brianna finds creative expression through writing short stories and poetry, and she loves to cook and read in her free time. Her favorite color, pink, reflects her vibrant outlook on both science and life.