Coral reefs are one of the planet’s most fascinating and vital ecosystems, yet we know surprisingly little about parts of these habitats lying just below the depths of standard SCUBA diving.
Dr Gemma Galbraith is a marine ecologist whose research explores Australia’s deep-reef ecosystems (30–150m depth), often called the twilight zone. Using underwater robotics, artificial intelligence, and ocean modelling, Gemma’s work uncovers hidden biodiversity from deep reefs and maps how connections between deep and shallow habitats support ecosystem functions and resilience.
After completing her BSc in Ecology (Durham University) and MSc in Marine Environmental Management (University of York) in the UK, Gemma earned her PhD from James Cook University, where she is currently an AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow in reef connectivity. Her research helps us better understand crucial ecological links that directly inform Australia’s marine spatial planning, fisheries management, and climate resilience strategies.
Passionate about making science accessible, Gemma leads hands-on robotics workshops, broadcasts live deep-sea research expeditions into global classrooms, and mentors community educators. She spends lots of time underwater wondering how reefs work if you look just that little bit deeper and figuring out how to use new technology to study them!