Every map begins with information, and for the world’s oceans, that information is still incomplete. One of the people working to solve this is Tinah. She uses her skills in ocean science and data management to improve the world’s understanding of the seafloor while demonstrating the important role African women are playing in advancing marine research.
Hi, Tinah. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Words That Count. We are delighted to have you here and look forward to learning more about your STEM journey
Thank you for the invite and thanks to Fahima for the nomination. It is a pleasure to participate in this initiative.
Briefly introduce yourself to our audience
My name is Voahangy Tinah Martin. I was born and raised on the island of Madagascar, until ocean waves and currents drifted me to New York, USA.
I am currently a staff associate at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University in New York. Here, I am part of a wonderful team dedicated to improving our understanding of the ocean floor through the evaluation and integration of bathymetric data from diverse sources. I work within the Atlantic and Indian Oceans Regional Center of the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project as the Lead Data Manager for the Indian Ocean Region.
My work supports efforts to identify knowledge gaps, facilitate international collaboration, and improve the accessibility and use of bathymetric data, which is information that describes the shape and depth of the seafloor. It is essentially the underwater equivalent of a topographic map on land. We use this data to build a more complete picture of the world’s oceans.
How did you get interested in understanding how oceans are shaped, and eventually chose to build a career out of this interest?
My journey is somewhat unconventional. I grew up in the high plateau region of central Madagascar, in Antsirabe, an area known for its tropical winter and some of the coldest temperatures in the country. I grew up surrounded by rice fields and town life with very few occasions to travel to the ocean side of the island.
After graduating from high school, I initially aspired to work in conservation; I was very interested in nature and in protecting biodiversity. Then I decided to pursue graduate studies in Animal Biology and Conservation at the University of Antananarivo, where I hoped to immerse myself in the study of fish or lemurs.
While that academic chapter didn’t end with a graduation gown, it led me to an unexpected opportunity. That young woman from the high plateau responded to the call of the ocean. She embarked on a journey to train as a Marine Protected Area Manager at the Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines, University of Toliara, right by the ocean.
That training drew me closer to the coastal communities and helped me understand the ties that link them with marine biodiversity, conservation, and effective marine resource management. And this time I graduated! Through my research, I identified a few species with potential for small-scale aquaculture, and the diversity of the population of coral reef fish larvae revealed some potential for the ornamental marine fish trade.
My training allowed me to work alongside coastal communities in the Southwest on octopus fisheries management initiatives. That experience was especially formative because it allowed me to connect my scientific knowledge with the practical realities. This was a unique experience where I learned that effective conservation depends not only on science but also on listening to communities, understanding livelihoods, and building management approaches that people can realistically sustain and benefit from.
Now that I had joined the workforce, the saying “life is a continuous apprenticeship” took a deeper meaning to me. It sparked a desire to improve my skills and contribute more effectively to my work. Curiosity and a desire to strengthen my skills made me look for opportunities to continue my professional development. So when I found out about the Nippon Foundation GEBCO Training for the Postgraduate Certificate in Ocean Bathymetry (mostly known as the GEBCO Training) at the University of New Hampshire in the United States, I applied to the program and was delighted to be accepted.
This significant shift from my previous background in conservation and marine resource management still felt deeply connected to the ocean. The experience challenged me to rethink the way I approached marine science, moving from biological systems and community-based management towards seafloor mapping, ocean data, and global scientific collaboration.
My passion for the ocean didn’t fade with this transition; if anything, it grew stronger. Over time, I realized I could connect the two sides of my journey: the people and the science.
Joining the Atlantic and Indian Oceans Regional Center for the Nippon Foundation – GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project as a Lead Data Manager allowed me to strengthen the values that guided me throughout my path. The role reinforced the importance of collaboration in ocean science and showed me how meaningful it is to contribute to something larger than oneself.
What I appreciate most about this work is the collective effort driving it: scientists, governments, institutions, data contributors, and ocean enthusiasts from around the world working together toward a shared goal. My journey reminds me that ocean science is deeply interconnected and that progress often comes from building bridges between technical expertise, cooperation, and a common commitment to understand and protect the ocean better.
What challenges have you faced while navigating your career journey in ocean mapping and marine science?
Navigating spaces where opportunities for women, especially in hands-on ocean work, were still limited. When I was a university student, access to field experiences and vessel-based training depended on access to these opportunities and was quite competitive. At times when few spaces were offered for female participation, mentorship and guidance to help young women build their path in the field also seemed limited.
Another major challenge came when I decided to completely redirect my academic and professional trajectory from biology and conservation towards hydrography and ocean mapping. This move felt like a full 180-degree shift, and the learning curve was steep. At times, I questioned whether my background was too unconventional and whether changing direction was truly the right decision. Entering a field that was both technically demanding and still largely male-dominated also brought moments of self-doubt, especially when everything felt new. I worried about whether I would be able to perform well and find my place within the discipline.
How have you been able to move forward and stay motivated in the presence of such challenges?
I discovered a strong and supportive network of women in ocean mapping and ocean science. Along the journey, I learned the importance of reaching out, asking questions, and seeking guidance from others. There is almost always someone willing to share experience, point you in the right direction, or help you navigate difficult situations.
Many of the women I met throughout my journey became sources of inspiration for me. Their resilience, generosity, and confidence encouraged me to stand taller in spaces where I sometimes felt uncertain. They reminded me that there is value in bringing diverse experiences and perspectives into ocean science.
Some of these experiences also became important sources of motivation for me as I moved forward in my journey. I became the first person, and the first woman, from my country to hold an internationally recognized Category A certification in hydrography. This is the highest level of international recognition awarded by the FIG/IHO/ICA International Advisory Board of Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors (IBSC). This board provides comprehensive training in hydrographic surveying and allied disciplines, preparing professionals for senior-level management, analytical reasoning, and complex project roles in government and private sectors.
While I saw this as a personal milestone, I also felt a strong sense of responsibility and encouragement in knowing that paths like this are possible, even for someone coming from a very different background.
Another important lesson came from learning to connect the different parts of my experience rather than seeing them as contradictions. Throughout my journey, I had the opportunity to meet professionals from many sides of the ocean field. From scientists, hydrographers, conservation practitioners, to data managers and policy contributors. All of them were working toward related goals from different perspectives.
For a long time, I sometimes felt frustrated when people asked me, “What is your specialty?” because my background did not fit neatly into a single category. Over time, however, I realized that having an interdisciplinary path was not a weakness but a strength. It allowed me to understand better how different parts of ocean science and ocean management connect.
Eventually, I stopped trying to define myself by a single discipline and instead focused on the purpose behind my work. I can contribute to collaborative ocean science, improve access to ocean knowledge, and support efforts that connect people, science, and sustainable ocean management.
What moments have been the most prestigious ones for you along your career path?
Looking back at how far I have come, I cherish every step of the journey. I recognize that better understanding our ocean to make impactful changes is not a matter of a single-handed initiative. It requires a village, the whole community, to successfully make those changes and make our environment more sustainable.
There were, nonetheless, meaningful moments in my career that opened opportunities to contribute to ocean mapping and data-sharing efforts that support the broader scientific community.
I have been fortunate to work on bathymetric data processing and stewardship projects where careful technical work behind the scenes helped improve the usability and accessibility of seafloor data for others. Seeing those efforts contributing to larger regional or global initiatives has been especially rewarding.
I am also happy that I was able to share bits of knowledge on FAIR principles and how they apply to the concept of mapping the seafloor. A few examples of this data stewardship and advocacy role can be read through these articles: advancing regional mapping efforts in the Western Indian Ocean Region and A Collaborative Action for Advancing Deep-Ocean Science and Policy in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Another particularly incredible opportunity was to be invited to join a pool of experts to define best practices and strategies for data usage at the global scale. I learned from specialists across different disciplines, regions, and institutions. This reinforced for me how important inclusive data stewardship and international collaboration are to advancing ocean science. This experience was more of a reminder of the responsibility that comes with contributing to shared scientific infrastructure and community-driven initiatives.
Who is Tinah away from work related to ocean mapping?
I’m an avid foodie who also enjoys playing video games and watching movies.
I am one of the co-ordinators of the Ikala STEM Chapter America. This is a chapter of the Ikala STEM association that aims to empower the next generation of young Malagasy women in STEM. I am always tinkering and brainstorming or catching up with other Malagasy women in STEM on how to improve access to STEM education.
What is your favorite quote?
“Life is a fierce battle-won only by the bold” ~ Anonymous.
This is a saying I have carried with me since my mother first shared it with me. It has continued to shape the way I approach challenges and opportunities throughout my life.
What are your words of encouragement for a young girl interested in ocean mapping or marine science?
Being a woman in STEM comes with loads of challenges. We often fall into the trap that minimizes our worth. Being bold in your choices and standing firm in your belief will carve your path to your dream. Be seen, be intentional, and never give up.
Thank you, Tinah, for sharing your STEM journey with us and teaching us about your work in ocean mapping. We wish you the best and look forward to celebrating more of your success.
