Diva Amon

Dr. Diva Amon is a Trinidadian deep-sea biologist with a special interest in deep-sea organisms and how human activity affects life far below the ocean’s surface. She is a leader in several organizations advocating for marine science, education and responsible practices. A Co-Lead of the DOSI Minerals Working Group, a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum in London, and a Pew-Bertarelli Ocean Ambassador, she also is a Director and Founder of SpeSeas, a non-profit dedicated to marine science, education and advocacy in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.

Dr. Amon has dedicated much of her time to exploring some of the deepest and most remote ocean habitats, from Antarctica to the Mariana Trench. She regularly ventures to the depths in submersibles, with her deepest dive to 1.6 miles below the ocean surface in the Cayman Trench in the Caribbean. She has discovered six new deep-sea species, including a lobster and two sponges.

Dr. Amon is a strong voice on the need to effectively manage and protect the deep ocean from human impacts, including from mining, pollution and climate change. Dr. Amon is also interested in increasing the capacity of low to middle income countries to explore their deep oceans, as well as bridging the gap between science and policy.

Born: 1987

Hometown: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Education: Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography

Occupation: Deep-sea biologist

Expeditions: Always on a ship far out at sea. The Arctic Ocean is still on the “To Do” list though!

Favorite Place to Be: My mum’s garden in Trinidad and Tobago

Best Discoveries: Three new species of bone-eating zombie worms!

Achievements: Founded SpeSeas, a marine conservation nonprofit to benefit Trinidad and Tobago

Favorite Items In The Field: Big hat, sunglasses, green tea, seasickness tablets (not kidding!)

Personal Hero: My mum – she is the fiercest woman I know

Hobbies: Snorkeling, SUPing, hiking, yoga, traveling

Websites: https://divaamon.com/, https://speseas.org/