Co-sponsored with the Safina Center’s Fellowship Programs
We will never be able to address climate change and ensure healthy, just human communities unless we protect and defend the entire web of life. The Safina Center, founded by renowned ecologist and author Carl Safina, has for more than 20 years drawn from science, art and literature to advance the case for Life on Earth. Among its most inspiring and effective endeavors are its senior and junior fellowship programs, which help support and highlight the work of a small cohort of brilliant early- and mid-career scientists, researchers, activists and artists whose work addresses conservation, the environment, and/or social justice in unique ways. This session will feature three recent, extraordinary Safina Fellows: Danielle Khan Da Silva, award-winning documentary photographer, director, conservation activist, founder/Executive Director of Photographers Without Borders, and co-founder of the Sumatran Wildlife Sanctuary; Jasmin Graham, a young shark scientist and environmental educator, President/CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences, an organization dedicated to supporting gender minorities of color in shark sciences; Katlyn Taylor, passionate marine biologist and conservationist, naturalist, guide, and widely traveled Coast Guard licensed captain, co-creator of The Whalenerds Podcast.
March 29th | 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm
Panelists
Founder and Executive Director
Photographers Without Borders
Danielle Khan Da Silva is an award-winning queer South-Asian/Portuguese photographer, director, writer, intersectional conservationist and National Geographic Explorer. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Photographers Without Borders and co-founder of the Sumatran Wildlife Sanctuary, Reclaim Power mentorship program, and other initiatives. Danielle holds Hons. BSc. degrees in conservation biology, psychology and global studies, as well as an MSc. in Environment & Development from the London School of Economics. She is passionate about Indigenous science, rematriation, Indigenous land and water stewardship, and their applications to orca/humpback whale conservation.
President and CEO
Minorities in Shark Sciences
Jasmin Graham, an award-winning young shark scientist and environmental educator who specializes in elasmobranch (shark and ray) ecology and evolution, serves on the board of the American Elasmobranch Society, is President and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences (an organization dedicated to supporting gender minorities of color in shark sciences) and is Project Coordinator for the
MarSci-LACE project focused on promoting best practices to recruit, support and retain minority students in marine science. Jasmin is also the author of
Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist and directed/hosted the PBS Terra series,
Sharks Unknown with Jasmin Graham.
Marine Biologist
Katlyn Taylor, a marine biologist who works as a naturalist, guide, and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, has a driving passion for marine mammals and facilitating meaningful experiences with them all over the world. She got her start working in ecotourism in Monterey CA before following the whales seasonally around the U.S. and beyond and has guided expeditions in the polar regions for several years giving lectures about marine mammals and guiding people in remote areas. While in Monterey she worked for several years with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council’s vessel disturbance working group at NOAA, served on the Monterey Sustainable Hospitality Collective, and served on the board of the American Cetacean Society’s Monterey Bay Chapter. She is also the co-creator of The Whalenerd’s Podcast and co-author/co-editor of the 2024 book Wild Monterey Bay.