Board of Directors

Diatoms.org, supported by Planet Diatom, is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across taxonomy, ecology, evolutionary biology, marine and freshwater science, and environmental monitoring. We work to reduce traditional barriers to participation by providing free, open-access taxonomic resources to all learners and practitioners, students, educators, analysts, community scientists, and the public, regardless of institutional affiliation, financial resources, lived experience, or geographic location.

We intentionally support emerging scientists and students by creating opportunities to contribute to species pages, engage in peer-reviewed authorship, and participate in hands-on taxonomic training. These experiences offer meaningful professional development, visibility, and mentorship that help broaden pathways into aquatic science fields. Through the Diatom Web Academy and related learning programs, we reach educators and learners from diverse communities, providing accessible materials that welcome both new and historically marginalized participants into the field.

As an internationally accessible online resource, diatoms.org expands scientific knowledge by:

• Providing global, multilingual, and openly available learning tools
• Offering equitable training opportunities through courses, workshops, and virtual programs
• Building mentorship connections between senior taxonomists and early-career scientists
• Encouraging and supporting participation from groups historically underrepresented in taxonomy and environmental sciences

Our goal is to help cultivate a more inclusive, representative, and resilient generation of taxonomists, ensuring that diverse perspectives and experiences inform the future of biodiversity research, environmental monitoring, and aquatic ecosystem stewardship.