Ruth Mello-Cann Featured In BYU Profile

Bermudian Ruth Mello-Cann has been featured in a profile on Brigham Young University’s Life Sciences website, highlighting her educational journey and passion for marine conservation.

The BYU College of Life Sciences website said, “Ruth Mello-Cann [PWS ’26] lives and breathes the ocean. Growing up in Bermuda, the small island she calls home, she spent as much time as possible in the water—snorkeling, sailing, and trying to better understand the vast marine ecosystem surrounding her. Mello-Cann dreamed of studying marine biology so she could share her passion with others and help preserve and protect the sea for future generations.

“Encouraged by a close friend, Mello-Cann chose to act in faith and apply to BYU even though she knew she didn’t have the resources to attend. When she was accepted, members of her branch and former missionaries who had served in Bermuda raised the funds she needed. Looking back, Mello-Cann is amazed by the willingness of her community to rally around her and feels immensely blessed for the opportunity they provided her.

“With her heart full of gratitude, Mello-Cann stepped into a world far different from her 21-square-mile island. As a first-generation student and one of the first Bermudians to attend BYU, she felt overwhelmed navigating school and Utah’s desert landscape. ‘I didn’t have a clue about anything,’ she recalls. Over time, she learned to take each challenge step by step and utilize all the resources available to her.

“After exploring several different majors, Mello-Cann chose to study environmental science and sustainability because it closely aligned with her marine interests. With guidance from her advisor, she substituted courses to gain the hands-on experience she wanted and realized she didn’t need a marine science degree to work in the field. ‘It’s actually better that I’m in environmental sciences, because it gives me a more well-rounded understanding,’ Mello-Cann reflects, explaining that she can apply what she learns to a wider range of future opportunities.

“Mello-Cann took advantage of the opportunities available at BYU to tailor her education to her passion for the ocean. She conducted research in the Griffin Lab, studying the ecology of crabs in the East Coast of the United States. She dissected and measured the biomass of crabs—work that has taught her so much and keeps her connected to marine science. She also completed marine-focused internships each summer in Bermuda.”

You can read the full stories here on the BYU College of Life Sciences.

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