January 31, 2025

Discover 3 Amazing Scientists to Celebrate this Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, Fernbank has pulled together a few scientists we would like to highlight.

Lisa White

Lisa White is a micropaleontologist and Director of Education and Outreach at the University of California Museum of Paleontology. She credits frequent visits to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park as sparking an interest in geology and paleontology. She specializes in fossil diatoms (single-celled plants preserved in rocks).

Dr. White is actively working towards more diversity in geosciences with programs such as SF-ROCKS (Reaching Out to Communities and Kids with Science) in San Francisco, and FIELD (Fieldwork Inspiring Expanded Leadership and Diversity), as well as her work on various groups, communities and boards throughout the country.

David Wilcots

David Wilcots is an environmental geologist and currently works as the Senior Geologist of Environmental Projects at Sci-Tek Consultants, Inc. His passion for paleontology and geology grew after visiting the American Museum of Natural History and viewing his first dinosaur skeleton. His current position has him traveling over diverse work sites, mapping the environment so companies can plan and build on the sites.

Although he couldn’t find work as a paleontologist out of college, he volunteers on expeditions  to hunt for fossils of Eocene mammals. Wilcots also visits classrooms to bring his fossil collection to school-aged kids and teach geology and paleontology. His website, Dinosaurs Fossils and Adventures, lets kids learn about dinosaurs, fossils, geology and paleontology.

Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison was the first African American woman in space. She has degrees in Chemical Engineering and African American Studies. Her rise to astronaut was inspired by seeing Sally Ride, the first woman in space, in 1983, and her fascination with space. Shortly after, in 1992, Jemison went into orbit aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. She has made 127 orbits around Earth!

Jemison left NASA in 1993, to educate and inspire in innovative ways. She launched an international science camp, taught at Dartmouth College, and founded a consulting company. She serves on multiple boards and stands by her principles: “Everyone should benefit from the bounty of this planet and its resources, not just those already well positioned. Solutions, technologies, and systems are more sustainable and beneficial when they are built while drawing upon the full range of human perspective, skills, experiences, and talents.” 

Visit Fernbank Museum for Story Time every Sunday at 11 a.m. throughout February to hear Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed, an inspiring story about Mae Jemison!

Are you interested in paleontology, geology or space? Find all of this and more at Fernbank! Get inspired by Ultimate Dinosaurs (on view through May 4, 2025), marvel at the Giants of the Mesozoic or watch the stars in the Star Gallery for bursts of inspiration.

Citations:
Down to Earth with: Geologist and paleontologist David Wilcots. Accessed January 28, 2025. https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/down-earth-geologist-and-paleontologist-david-wilcots/. 

Institution, Paleontological Research. “Lisa White.” Museum of the Earth, February 18, 2022. https://www.museumoftheearth.org/daring-to-dig/bio/white. 

Lynn, Samara. “Meet Dr. Lisa White: Paleontologist.” Black Enterprise, June 20, 2023. https://www.blackenterprise.com/meet-dr-lisa-white-paleontologist/?utm_source=chatgpt.com. 

Mathias, Marisa. “Mae Jemison.” National Women’s History Museum. 2024. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mae-jemison. 

“Subterranean Adventures: David Wilcots OPC ’80.” Default post page. Accessed January 28, 2025. https://www.penncharter.com/default-post-page/~board/alumni/post/subterranean-adventures-david-wilcots-opc-80.