Joan Murrell Owens (June 30, 1933 – May 25, 2011) was an American educator and marine biologist specializing in corals.
She was survived by her sister, Willette M. Carlton; two daughters, Adrienne Lewis and Angela Owens; and a granddaughter, Chara Johnson.
In 1956 she switched to pursue and later receive a Master of Science degree in guidance counseling with an emphasis on reading therapy.
[2] Owens had sickle cell anemia traits, making research limited by her inability to dive for specimens.
[3] Instead, she conducted a laboratory project at the Smithsonian Institution using coral samples collected by a British expedition in 1880.
Her dissertation was titled "Microstructural Changes in the Scleractinian Families Micrabaciidae and Fungiidae and their Taxonomic and Ecologic Implications.
She began advancing to the rank of associate professor in the department of Geology and Geography at Howard University in 1986.
She aspired to study marine biology professionally, her interest likely spurred from family fishing trips.