Leonard Pace is an experienced marine biologist and is the Senior Manager of Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Science Program. His portfolio includes annual collaboration on proposal reviews, community collaboration, and outreach activities. Leonard is also a father, husband, brother, son, and a Black man.
In the United States, the month of February is a national opportunity to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans. In many ways, we have come so far as a country in creating that more perfect union. It can be easy to forget it was not so long ago that Black people were denied opportunities to attend universities or even sit at the front of a bus. Until recently, the very idea that a Black man could be a scientist in the United States was unfathomable. The struggles—accomplishments and failures—of Black people that came before created the space for Black children to dream bigger and achieve those dreams.
Leonard grew up the son of a secretary and a taxi-cab driver in Brooklyn, New York. His early interest in the ocean was nurtured through many aquarium visits with his family, as the ocean is not very accessible in Brooklyn. Leonard’s parents made sure to create an environment where his dreams could flourish.
“My parents raised me to never see any door as closed—that all things were opportunities.”
And flourish does not remotely cover the accomplishments he has achieved thus far. His professional path began in college at Hampton University, one of 101 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where he majored in Marine and Environmental Science. Leonard’s path, and love for the marine sciences, was cemented after spending a Semester at Sea aboard the R/V Westward conducting science. After graduating from Hampton, Leonard spent time in Antarctica studying larval naked dragonfish and antifreeze proteins. He then traveled to South Africa, where he studied great white sharks and found his niche.
He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Fisheries Biology from the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, focusing on sandbar and dusky sharks, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Jack Musick, a preeminent scientist and phenomenal mentor. And yes, Leonard’s sons know that daddy is a shark biologist and think it’s quite cool!
“I dove into a pool with sharks, just because I wanted to see them swimming around my head, with the full realization that I was just me in a pool with sharks.”
After grad school, Leonard was awarded a Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, where he supported the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to preserve and protect coral reef habitats. He then spent time as a contractor with US Customs and Border Protection conducting invasive species work under the National Environmental Policy Act. Finally, before his time at Schmidt Ocean Institute, Leonard supported the National Science Foundation and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program.
Throughout his life and career, two figures stand out as role models and mentors for Leonard. Mr. Kirkland, a junior high school math teacher, was the first teacher to truly challenge Leonard in a genuine and caring way. Similarly, Dr. Brandon Jones, in his existence and success as a Black man in the marine sciences, as well as a sounding board and support system, has been instrumental.
“Children should not feel that there are doors closed to their dreams. I think that that’s the biggest responsibility that we should all have.”
Leonard has a strong desire to increase access to science for underrepresented and vulnerable communities. He does so by creating opportunities at Schmidt Ocean Institute and sharing his own experiences, and encouraging others.
Leonard’s illustrious career is incredibly inspiring. He is committed to opening doors in intentional and specific ways to create opportunities and educate communities about the opportunities that are available.
