Vanessa Messmer

Vanessa Messmer, PhD is a Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. Her work bridges genetic and ecosystem-level perspectives to study biodiversity loss in coral reef fish assemblages and climate change impacts on reef organisms.

• PhD in Marine Biology, James Cook University (2010)
• BS with Honors in Marine Biology, James Cook University (2003)

Her research interrogates:

• Coral reef biodiversity conservation
• Climate change effects on marine ecosystems
• Genetic diversity and ecosystem resilience

Vanessa also serves as an Academic Advisor and Marine Ecology Field Leader for the SIT Study Abroad program focused on Australia's rainforest, reef, and cultural ecology.