Last year, Scripps launched a new fellowship initiative, the DIVERsity Fellowship, to increase access, representations and diversity for AAUS scientific diving.

Our very own MAS MBC student, Analisa Freitas, was the first ever DIVERsity fellow!

“When asked to describe a known marine scientist or a SCUBA diver, I would guess that they think of a white man in goggles holding a beaker, they’ll think Jacque Cousteau, maybe. This is in stark contrast to the data point that those of African, Asian, Latin American, and Arab descent around the world make up about 80 percent of people in the world, many of whom are scientists and science divers. I think of the ocean as a connective space between many people and so having a diverse cohort can bring greater understanding.” ~ Analisa Freitas, MAS MBC 2023

Analisa will be graduating in June 2023, and immediately following will be putting her scientific diving credential to good use. Originally contacted via Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology,  Diving with a Purpose  has offered Analisa a position working with them in Florida. Analisa will gain underwater mapping skills, documenting a slave ship from the 1800s, as well as assist training teenagers on being underwater archaeology advocates.

You can see the full profile on Analisa, and the other 2022-2023 DIVERsity mentors and fellows here:

Scripps Scuba DIVERsity Program

Applications are now open for the Fall 2023 cohort! You can apply to the DIVERsity fellowship here:

Fall 2023 DIVERsity Application

Applications are open until June 26th, 2023.

Congratulations Analisa! We can’t wait to see where your scientific diving experiences take you next!