Corina Newsome

Who She Is 

Corina Newsome is a wildlife biologist, ornithologist, and science communicator known for her work studying and protecting birds of the American Southeast. She earned a bachelor's degree in zoo and wildlife biology from Malone University in Ohio and a master's degree in biology from Georgia Southern University, where her graduate research focused on how a small saltmarsh bird called the seaside sparrow chooses where to build its nest safely above rising tides. Newsome has worked in community-focused conservation roles connecting neighborhoods to the wild spaces around them, and she is a frequent public speaker and science communicator across social media and national outlets. She is especially known for helping launch Black Birders Week in 2020, a national event celebrating Black nature enthusiasts and encouraging greater diversity in outdoor spaces and science careers.

Why She Matters

Corina Newsome shows that wildlife biology is not only about the animals in the field, it is also about the people doing the science and who gets welcomed into that work. Her research helps protect a bird species that depends on disappearing coastal marshland. Just as importantly, her advocacy for inclusion in outdoor spaces and STEM careers has opened doors for a new generation of young people who might not have pictured themselves as wildlife biologists. For young people, her career is a reminder that curiosity about nature and a commitment to community can grow into the very same career.