About Chelsea

Chelsea Waters at Lizard Island

I am an experienced marine biologist and PhD graduate from Queensland Australia. I have studied and been involved in projects along the Great Barrier Reef at locations including Heron Island, Lady Musgrave Island and Lizard Island.

I received my PADI Divemaster qualification in 2015 on Utila in the Caribbean and became a professional dive instructor on Gili Island, Indonesia in 2016.

My international experience includes marine science and dive instructor roles in Honduras, Indonesia, Madagascar and currently in the Philippines.

In 2019, I co-founded a NGO called Institute of Marine Research in conjunction with local tourist resort operators to protect and enhance the fringing reef ecosystems.

In 2022, I was accepted as a phD candidate to assist in developing Coral Reef Restoration projects on the Great Barrier Reef.

In 2025 I published my first article on my work. Please click here to read the article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rec.14387

My phD lavae restoration project

My PhD research training under Professor Peter Harrison has been amazing. I was afforded the opportunity to work both independently and as part of large, interconnected teams through the Paul G Allen Family Foundation’s Opticorals project. I collaborated with outside researchers and was encouraged to take on leadership roles within a research context and with the University. As a result, I have not only gained world-class research skills, but also developed critical thinking, project management, and communication abilities that go way beyond being a researcher.”

“By the end of my research, I created a simple tool to help choose the best sites for coral larval restoration, so future efforts have a greater chance of success.”

My Résumé

Education

2012-2014 Bachelor of Science ~ Marine Biology
2016 Graduated with First Class Honours – Marine Science

University of Queensland

My honours project (supervised by Sophie Dove) focused on studying the effects of climate change on coral reefs. I was able to identify certain coral species that were adapting to increased temperatures and CO2 levels.

Dec 2017 to May 2018

Project Scientist – Napantao Marine Park, Philippines

Project Scientist with Coral Cay Conservation on Southern Leyte (6 month contract). The position involved surveying and studying marine habitats in the fringing reefs. I also trained volunteers in marine identification and liaised with local and state government representatives.

Previous Jobs

2017

Lecturer in coral reef ecology – Madagascar

I worked as a Coral Reef Ecology Lecturer to visiting students in marine science and scuba diving. (2 month contract)

2016

Marine Scientist / Dive Instructor – Southern Great Barrier Reef Queensland

Working out of the Port of Bundaberg on the Lady Musgrave Experience as a marine science guide and scuba instructor on Lady Musgrave Island.

2015 and 2017

Whale Shark Research Centre, Utila, Honduras

A one month internship with the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center which studies this large fish species found in the surrounding waters.   I subsequently returned in 2017 working as a Dive Instructor and assisting WSORC where possible.  Utila is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean. It is known for its coral reefs and many dive sites.