NOAA Oceanographer Committed to Ocean Research and Education

March 24, 2009 — Evan B. Forde, an oceanographer at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, has made his mark as an award-winning African American scientist committed to ocean research and education.

Forde teaches inquisitive OCEANS students how to use a hydrometer to measure the density of sea water. Photo credit: Diana Seals.

The City of North Miami, Fla., issued a proclamation naming Feb. 10, 2009, “Evan B. Forde Appreciation Day.” The proclamation cited Forde’s work to enhance community science education, including creating and teaching a course on Oceanographic Curriculum Empowering Achievement in Natural Sciences (‘OCEANS’) to middle school students in South Florida.

The proclamation notes some of the "pioneering" aspects of Forde’s career as one of a small number of African American oceanographers in the United States.

Forde also received a congressional commendation in August 2008 from Florida Representative Corrine Brown for years of commitment and contributions to science education in the United States. The commendation recognizes Forde as “one of our nation’s leading African American scientists and explorers.” Forde received the commendation in Jacksonville, Fla., where he is involved in activities designed to improve school curricula related to science education and to heighten student interest in oceanography, mathematics, and other earth sciences.

Forde has degrees in Geology and Marine Geology and Geophysics (B.A. and M.A.) from Columbia University in New York City. He is a recognized authority on the formation, evolution, and sedimentary processes of U.S. east coast submarine canyons.

As the first African American scientist to participate in research dives aboard a submersible, he has completed successful submersible dive expeditions in several submarine canyons aboard Alvin, the Johnson Sea Link, and Nekton Gamma. Forde has conducted research in a number of oceanographic and meteorological disciplines. His current research includes using satellite sensors to observe and analyze atmospheric conditions related to hurricane formation and intensification. Forde, a 35-year NOAA veteran, was also recently featured in the December issue of Black Enterprise magazine.