Melissa Cristina Márquez

Melissa Cristina Márquez was born in Puerto Rico, but she grew up in Mexico.[4] As a child, Márquez made her very first memories on the beach.[5] She would analyze tidal waters, and gather seashells while watching groups of fish.[5] Márquez grew up watching the Discovery Channel segments about sharks.[6] She was four when she discovered she wanted to study them.[7]

Márquez describes her family as very supportive.[8] Her mother had a career as a biology educator and biochemical engineer.[5]

Márquez received her undergraduate degree at the New College of Florida.[1] She got a masters degree from Victoria University of Wellington.[1] Márquez also has a PhD from Curtin University.[9]

Márquez is an environmental activist and science communicator. Márquez is committed to making sure that all STEM workplaces are inclusive and equally diverse.[5] Hola Magazine named Márquez a Top 100 Latina Powerhouse in 2021.[1] She is one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30.[3]

Márquez is the founder of the Fins United Initiative.[10] She works with Divya Nawale and other members of the advisory board of Women in Ocean Science.[11] She is a judge for Boston Museum of Science's Reach Out Science Slam.[12]

Márquez often appears on Discovery Channel's Shark Week.[1][13] She published a series of children's books called “Wild Survival!”[14][1] She stars in the documentary movie OceanXplorers.[15] Márquez also writes for Forbes Science.[10][9] Márquez has hosted her own Spanish language environmental podcast called ConCiencia Azul.[5] She interviews other ocean scientists.[5] She stars in the documentary movie OceanXplorers.[15] Márquez has given a TEDx talk on “Sharks & Female Scientists: More Alike Than You Think”.[5]