Driven by a passion for restoring and protecting our oceans, Dr. Shelby Thomas has dedicated her career to advancing marine conservation around the world. With a master’s degree in Marine Ecology and a PhD in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida, she has led and contributed to more than 40 restoration initiatives spanning coral reefs, seagrass meadows, oyster habitats, sea urchins, and scallops.

Shelby began her scientific career in cancer research, studying defensive chemicals produced by corals and their potential application in developing new cancer treatments. During her undergraduate research, she witnessed the devastating decline of Florida’s stony corals as disease and environmental pressures destroyed the reef system around her. Seeing many of the corals at the center of her research disappear in real time shifted her career to focus on marine conservation and reef restoration. Shelby also realised how art can be used to connect people to the ocean.

While completing her PhD, Shelby founded Ocean Rescue Alliance International to translate science into direct conservation action and connect people to the ocean. Through ORAI, she has helped deploy more than 500 artificial reef structures and supported the outplanting of over 30,000 corals, creating new habitat, advancing restoration science, supporting coastal defense, and helping rebuild marine ecosystems at scale. In addition to the ocean habitat structures, she has deployed more than 35 underwater sculptures, creating accessible sites for the public to experience and connect with the ocean. These sites work together with public and private partnerships to advance ocean conservation and rebuild marine ecosystems.

Shelby first collaborated with SeaKeepers on July 23, 2023, during a research dive with Ocean Rescue Alliance International, facilitated by SeaKeepers to assess newly deployed artificial reef structures and monitor early benthic growth and fish recruitment. Since then, SeaKeepers has partnered with Shelby and the ORAI team on nine additional research and monitoring outings, helping track the ecological performance of these reef restoration efforts and their impact on reef fish habitats.