The Environment and Social Justice
A healthy environment provides everything humans and animals need to live and thrive—from water and climate to food and fresh air. March’s Community Talk features experts who are studying coral reefs and ecosystems and their connection to social justice. Join the Our Future is Science Community Talk Series featuring Dr. Danielle Ignace and Kramer Wimberley.
Danielle D. Ignace, Ph.D. – Prior to joining the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, Danielle was an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, the Environmental Science & Policy Program, and Climate Change Concentration at Smith College. She also holds a Research Associate position at Harvard Forest (Harvard University). Danielle grew up in Milwaukee, WI and received her BS in Zoology and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She earned her PhD from the University of Arizona studying the physiological function of native and non-native grass species in response to changes in precipitation in the Sonoran Desert. During her postdoc at the University of Arizona, Danielle studied the impacts of an invasive annual plant on the diversity and productivity of a Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. Danielle is an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe, and as a Native American woman in STEM, is always seeking to be a role model and advocate for people of color. Danielle’s father is a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe located in northern Idaho, and Danielle’s mother is a member of the Menominee tribe located in northern Wisconsin.
Kramer Wimberly – Drawn to the water at an early age, Kramer was destined to spend his life below the surface of the water. From his early days as a youth on the Shores of Sandy Hook New Jersey he developed an interest in what the underwater world had to offer. It wasn’t until the summer of 1985 would he get his chance to explore his new found home off the shores of Bermuda’s spectacular crystal clear waters and coral crushed pink sand beaches. Kramer has spent the last 26 years of his life as a scuba diver and became a Master Scuba Diver Trainer in 2005. Through his company Dive Tours International LLC, he teaches all around the world. Since 2005 he has spent most of his free time teaching people of all age ranges to learn to love the water. Kramer has an extensive dive resume. From the northern coast of Massachusetts to the Andaman Sea Kramer has spent time there. He also spends a substantial amount of his time volunteering. Kramer spent several years as a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Newark, New Jersey as well as a volunteer diver for the State of New Jersey Camden Aquarium. He has also spent the last seven years volunteering his time as a scuba instructor to teach inner city youth and others scuba diving.
The Community Talk Series is a platform to expose individuals to diverse careers, as well as information, insights and perspectives on the intersections of STEAM disciplines and social justice issues.
This event is organized by Our Future Is Science, an initiative of the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and Coda Societies.
