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​PhD Candidate
Science Offices
Ourimbah Campus
University of Newcastle
Ourimbah NSW 2258
Australia

Phone: +61 477 645 700
Email: Tess.Moriarty@uon.edu.au
Skype: tess.moriarty

Twitter: @Tess.Moriarty
Instagram: @mer_gypsea





PhD Project

Forecasting coral disease outbreaks in the Pacific Ocean
Global coral reef ecosystems are experiencing ongoing prolific changes. Mass coral bleaching events are on rise and disease outbreaks are becoming more prevalent. Coral research and conservation efforts have never been more important than now. My research and passion has followed the path of marine conservation. Starting out with sea turtle hatchling conservation initiatives and then moving into coral reef active conservation. My current research is delving into the coral holobiont and initiating what makes a healthy microbial and metabolome community within the coral colony and how they differ when disease is present. Research such as this will help establish a scale of healthy parameters before visual signs and symptoms are present.

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 Publications
  • 2018 Maldives Marine Science Symposium Poster Presentation, “Coral restoration in the Maldives: An evaluation of the effectiveness of popular restoration methodologies.”
  • 2018 Great Barrier Reef Restoration Symposium Oral Presentation, “Validating a large-scale reef restoration project, post 2016 coral bleaching in the Maldives “
  •  2017 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the continuation of Velaa Private Island’s Coral Restoration Project, Ministry of Tourism
  • 2016 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for Velaa Private Island’s Coral Restoration Project, Ministry of Tourism
  • 2016 -2017 Monitoring Reports for Velaa Private Island’s Restoration Project, Ministry of Tourism
  • 2016 Maldives Marine Science Symposium Poster Presentation, “Large-scale reef restoration in the Maldives. Is this the way of the future? “
  •  2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Annual Marine Report, including: Water Quality Assessment, Turtle Nesting Monitoring, Reef Monitoring, Coral Restoration Project Report, Mitigation and Conservation Initiatives Successes and Goals for the upcoming year
  • 2013 Project Proposal for Atoll Volunteers Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, Environmental Protection Agency Maldives
  • 2013 Turtle Nesting, Monitoring and Hatchery Reports, Pom Pom Island Malaysia, WWF
  • 2012 Thesis – “Assessing the use of photography to identify elusive and critically endangered individual Spotted Handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus, distributed in the Derwent Estuary”
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 Qualifications and Awards
Education
Bachelor of Marine Science with Honours, 2012, Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, The University of Tasmania
Awards
2019 Women Divers Hall of Fame Scholarship - Marine Conservation
2018 Reef Futures Symposium Scholarship
2016 Maldives Marine Science Symposium Travel Grant

Other
ADAS  Scientific Diver 2010​
Emergency First Responder Instructor
PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor 2015.
COXSWAIN Part I (Australia)
Marine Radio Operator (International)