This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the ±«Óătv Class of 2025. Spring Convocation takes place May 30 and from June 9-19 in Halifax and Truro. Read all our profiles here in one place as they are published.
Ruth Riley’s love for the ocean and passion for marine conservation are rooted in both her academic journey and a strong sense of place, purpose, and community.
This spring, she graduates from ±«Óătv with her second degree: a Master of Marine Management (MMM) from the Faculty of Science.
Riley grew up in Lake Loon, one of Nova Scotia’s 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities, just outside of Dartmouth.
“I come from a long line of Black Loyalists and Jamaican Maroons — those descendants,” she shares proudly.
That cultural connection to place and people shaped her outlook early on.
“I’ve always loved marine life and science ever since I was a little girl,” she says. “Growing up near the ocean, it just came naturally to me to want to study the ocean.”
A shift from medicine to marine conservation
Riley originally planned to go to medical school, but her academic path shifted during the final years of her undergraduate degree, where she majored in biology at ±«Óătv in 2022.
“I feel like once the pandemic hit, things started to change for me,” she explains. “I really enjoyed learning about how we can protect nature and the importance of the oceans. Studying marine life just fascinated me — and again, it all connects back to my childhood growing up by the sea. It just felt natural.”
Throughout her time at ±«Óătv, Riley credits two mentors for helping shape her experience: Dr. Kevin Hewitt, associate dean of equity and inclusion and a professor in the Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science, and Dr. Sophia Stone, associate dean of global relations and graduate studies in the Faculty of Science.
“Dr. Hewitt has been a mentor to me since I was 17,” Riley says. “I started volunteering in his lab before I even began my degree. That was my introduction to science at Dal.”
“Dr. Stone also took me under her wing. It was really inspiring to see another Black woman who looks like me in science.”
Ruth speaking at Dal event (Photo: Nick Pearce).
Riley is also an recipient of two scholarships, the Michael Albert Garron Fund; designed to encourage the next generation of ocean scientists and the Mary Margaret Werner Graduate Scholarship.
“Those scholarships gave me that motivation to push on. It was a little boost I needed to get through the degree, says Riley.
Bringing science back to community
Outside of her studies, Riley has made a point of giving back. She’s passionate about community outreach and works to make science more accessible to African Nova Scotian youth.
“I started hosting science-based workshops in my community to encourage Black students to pursue science,” she says. “I did one on forestry and conservation, and we had a great discussion about little things we can do to help protect the Earth.”
She followed up with a workshop focused on the ocean, which drew in a new generation of young, curious learners.
“We had a great turnout,” Riley says. “There were a lot of kids around eight to ten years old—and they were so keen to learn more.”
As part of her graduate studies, Riley completed an internship with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, focusing on The Gully—a marine protected area off the coast of Nova Scotia. “My research looked at how we can enhance whale conservation using The Gully as a case study,” she explains.
Her commitment to learning and conservation continues this fall as she begins a second master’s degree—this time in science. She’ll study blue mussels and the impacts of climate change under the supervision of Dr. Ramone Filgueira, also from the Marine Affairs Program.
“Now I’m going back into the natural sciences,” she says. “I’m really excited about it.”
Riley has her sights set on a long academic future — and big goals. “I’m hoping to be the first in my family to earn a PhD,” she says.
And for incoming students who may be wondering if they belong in science, Riley has this advice, “Put yourself out there. You never know when an opportunity will come. If you don’t think you can do it—you can. Just keep going, and you’ll be rewarded.”