Vira Brusko, Preservation of Underwater Nature

“Dr. Isabella Abbott was an extraordinary botanist and ethnobotanist who made significant contributions to the study of marine algae, particularly in the Pacific. Born in 1919 in Hawaii, she faced numerous challenges as a woman of Native Hawaiian and Chinese descent pursuing a career in science during a time of racial and gender discrimination. Despite these obstacles, Abbott became the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a Ph.D. in science. Her research focused on marine algae, leading to the discovery of over 200 species, some of which were crucial to Hawaiian culture and cuisine.”