Hi, I’m Mariana! I’m a marine scientist working at the intersection of coral reef science, conservation, policy, and practice.
My work focuses on understanding and protecting coral reefs, supporting restoration and coastal resilience, and helping connect scientific knowledge with real-world decisions. I’m especially interested in collaborative projects that bring together researchers, communities, practitioners, and policymakers.
I currently work with the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. I’m also an officer of the International Coral Reef Society, Chair of its Conservation and Policy Committee, and Co-Chair of the Coral Restoration Consortium’s Policy Working Group.
Through this website, you can learn more about my research, conservation and policy work, publications, and current projects.
My journey into marine science began in Brazil, where I studied biological sciences and first became fascinated by the ocean and coral reefs. Since then, my work and studies have taken me to France, California, Hawaiʻi, and many other places around the world.
I completed my Ph.D. in Marine Biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where my research focused on coral biology, symbiosis, and how corals respond to changing environmental conditions. Over time, my interests expanded beyond understanding how coral reefs work to thinking more deeply about how science can help protect them.
Today, my work brings together research, conservation, restoration, climate adaptation, and marine policy. I enjoy working across disciplines and helping connect people who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room—scientists, practitioners, communities, government agencies, and international organizations.
I currently work with the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. I also serve as Recording Secretary of the International Coral Reef Society and Chair of its Conservation and Policy Committee, and I co-chair the Coral Restoration Consortium’s Policy Working Group.
I have participated in international ocean, climate, and biodiversity processes, including UN climate and biodiversity conferences, the UN Ocean Decade, and the UN Ocean Conference. I have also contributed to efforts to strengthen coral reef restoration policies and practices in Hawaiʻi, Brazil, and internationally.
At the heart of my work is a desire to help create a more hopeful and resilient future for coral reefs—and to make science, conservation, and policy more collaborative, inclusive, and connected to the needs of people and places.Hi, I’m Mariana! I’m a marine scientist working at the intersection of coral reef science, conservation, policy, and practice.
My research explores how coral reefs respond to environmental change and how scientific knowledge can support more effective conservation, restoration, and management.
I began my career studying coral biology and symbiosis, with a particular interest in how corals and their microbial partners respond to climate change and other environmental stressors. My work has examined variation in coral responses, the ecological and evolutionary processes that may support reef persistence, and the complex relationships between corals and their symbiotic communities.
My current research interests extend across several connected areas:
Coral biology and symbiosis
Understanding how corals interact with their symbiotic partners and how these relationships influence coral health, resilience, and survival.
Climate change and reef persistence
Exploring why some corals and reefs may be more capable of persisting under future ocean conditions.
Coral reef restoration
Supporting restoration strategies that are scientifically grounded, ecologically responsible, and connected to broader conservation goals.
Nature-based solutions and coastal resilience
Examining how coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems can contribute to climate adaptation, shoreline protection, and community resilience.
Science-to-policy connections
Finding ways to translate research into useful information for managers, practitioners, communities, and decision-makers.
You can find my published research here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iPcSDx4AAAAJ&hl=en
A major part of my work focuses on connecting coral reef science with conservation action and public policy.
I believe scientific knowledge is most powerful when it is accessible, collaborative, and connected to the people making decisions. My policy work involves helping researchers engage in policy processes, supporting the development of practical guidance, and creating spaces where scientists, conservation practitioners, communities, and policymakers can work together.
International Coral Reef Society
I serve as Recording Secretary of the International Coral Reef Society and Chair of its Conservation and Policy Committee.
Through the Committee, I help coordinate activities that connect the coral reef community with international conservation and policy processes. This has included engagement in UN climate and biodiversity conferences, the UN Ocean Decade, the UN Ocean Conference, and other international initiatives focused on coral reefs, climate change, and ocean conservation.
Coral Restoration Policy
I co-chair the Coral Restoration Consortium’s Policy Working Group, where I work with partners to address policy, permitting, governance, and implementation challenges related to coral reef restoration.
I am particularly interested in ensuring that restoration policies support responsible innovation while protecting ecosystems, respecting local knowledge, and encouraging appropriate monitoring and accountability.
Coral Reef Policy in Brazil
I also contribute to national efforts in Brazil to develop guidance and regulatory approaches for coral reef restoration. This work brings together government agencies, researchers, restoration practitioners, and conservation organizations to identify good practices and create clearer pathways for responsible restoration activities.
Climate, Biodiversity, and Ocean Policy
My international policy work includes participation in processes connected to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Ocean Decade, and the UN Ocean Conference.
Across these spaces, I advocate for stronger recognition of coral reefs, greater collaboration across climate and biodiversity agendas, and more meaningful inclusion of coral reef science in international decision-making.
Thank you for visiting my website!I’m always happy to connect with people working in coral reef science, restoration, conservation, climate adaptation, ocean policy, and related fields.
Please feel free to reach out about research collaborations, speaking invitations, workshops, policy initiatives, student mentoring, or other opportunities to work together.
Email: mrds@hawaii.edu
You can also find me on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-rocha-de-souza/
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iPcSDx4AAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3591-1846
University Profile: https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/directory-detail/?smid=50404
I look forward to hearing from you!
