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Caitlyn Ogbaekwe free diving on the north shore of O'ahu with Galapagos sharks.
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Caitlyn Ogbaekwe at the inaugural 'Black in Marine Science' week at HPU.
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Caitlyn Ogbaekwe with students aboard the HPU research vessel, the Kaholo in Kaneohe Bay.
HPU alumna Caitlyn Ogbaekwe was not always a science rock star. Her journey began with aspirations in the arts, studying to be a vocalist at one of the most established performing arts schools in Pittsburgh. Immersed in the arts as a child and young adult, Ogbaekwe made a bold shift into the sciences, leading her to become an HPU marine science lecturer, role model, and mentor.
Through HPU’s concurrent registration program, Ogbaewke simultaneously completed her bachelor of science in oceanography, and later her master of science in marine sciences, highlighting her dedication and passion for the ocean.
Caitlyn Ogbaekwe with HPU students aboard the University's research vessel, the Kaholo.
“And now, I have the best job,” Ogbaewke said with a smile. “I love teaching and sharing my knowledge of the ocean with my undergraduate students at HPU.”
Raised in Pittsburgh, Ogbaewke attended the Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, a creative and performing arts public magnet school that educates creative talents within a multicultural academic environment. As a vocal student from sixth through twelfth grade, Ogbaewke was well on her way to establishing a career in music, despite the obstacle of concurring stage fright.
“For most of my life, I thought I would study music in college and become a vocalist,” Ogbaewke recalled. However, a tropical vacation with her mother one summer sparked a curiosity about the ocean, leading her to eventually apply to HPU for oceanography — a decision that marked a pivotal change in her life.
“Studying at HPU was a transformative decision for me,” she said. “I had to distance myself somewhat from my musical past and embrace a completely new direction.”
Ogbaewke was drawn to HPU's unique program offerings, particularly the opportunity to study oceanography at the undergraduate level, which is often reserved for Ph.D. programs. The support of scholarships and the degree program itself solidified her choice to attend the University.
The initial transition to life in the Pacific had its challenges. Moving to Hawaiʻi in 2017 and living in the Waterfront Lofts at Aloha Tower Marketplace, Ogbaekwe faced a new environment, culture shock, and the realities of diving into an unfamiliar field of study.
“To be honest, it was uncomfortable at first because I was so far from home and was studying marine science, the complete opposite of what my family expected me to do,” Ogbaekwe reflected. “It was also challenging because I did not know anyone in Hawaiʻi. The culture shock was something that I was not used to or expected. It took some time to get my footing.”
Ogbaekwe had not taken many science courses at CAPA, so the adjustment was intense, yet she persevered, excelling in subjects like general biology early on.
One of the pivotal factors in her success was HPU’s concurrent registration program, which allows undergraduate students to earn credits toward their master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree. “This program was invaluable to me,” she explained. “It allowed me to streamline my education and graduate with both degrees, saving time and money, and setting me up for success in the field.”
Former HPU Oceanography Professor Tom DeCarlo, Ph.D., was a mentor to Ogbaekwe early on in her studies. He quickly recognized her potential and provided her with opportunities to work in his lab, helping to shape her future career as a marine scientist.
Ogbaekwe values the mentorship of DeCarlo and now in her faculty role she wants to pay it forward by mentoring students — especially students of color. “It’s an honor to be a teacher of color at HPU, and students will open up to me because I look like them,” she explained. “Representation is powerful.”
She is also actively involved in HPU’s Ho‘okō Rising Scholars Program, mentoring students and teaching the University 1000 course, where she inspires freshman students to dream big.
“I love teaching University 1000 because I get to help inspire students when they first arrive at HPU,” she said. “Students need to hear that sometimes it will be hard, and that’s okay! We have many first-generation students at HPU, and that can be difficult as well. I want to help them anyway I can.”
Ogbaekwe’s advice to prospective marine science students at HPU highlights the unique opportunities offered by the program, such as access to the 42-foot, twin-diesel-powered catamaran research vessel “The Kaholo” that sails in Kaneohe Bay.
“The Kaholo sets our marine science program apart because we get to go out into the water, deploy state-of-the-art instruments, and learn how to be seagoing scientists,” she said. “Students get to experience ocean-based field work early on in their educational careers. They don’t just sit in lectures and labs. The boat labs are an amazing opportunity for our students to make the connections from the lab to the research vessel.”
Looking ahead, Ogbaekwe plans to pursue a Ph.D. in marine science at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, continuing her research on her master’s thesis. Her passion for teaching and research is matched only by her love for the stunning beauty of Kaneohe Bay, where she finds happiness sharing the experience with her students.
“I treasure the moments with my students, when we are heading back to the pier on The Kaholo. Working on Kaneohe Bay is stunning. I love to sit back with my students and enjoy the bay and acknowledge how lucky we are. To conduct research at this amazing place in Hawaiʻi, sharing the experience with my students, is what brings me the greatest happiness and reflection in all that I have accomplished so far in my career, and at HPU.”
