Bio Summary:

• Dr. Jessica Carilli is a marine scientist specializing in coral reef ecology, paleoclimate reconstruction, and the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems. She currently serves as a scientist at the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, where she leads the Coral Reef Arks project in Vieques, Puerto Rico. This initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, aims to enhance coral survivability by providing midwater structures that offer improved environmental conditions for translocated corals. Under her leadership, the project has achieved a 38% increase in coral survival rates compared to traditional methods, even withstanding the impacts of hurricanes .
• Dr. Carilli's academic background includes a Ph.D. in Earth Science from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Her research has significantly contributed to understanding how local stressors, such as pollution and overfishing, reduce coral resilience to bleaching events . She has also explored how historical temperature variability affects coral responses to heat stress, providing insights into coral adaptability in changing climates.Beyond her research, Dr. Carilli is committed to science communication and education. She has taught courses in Earth and Environmental Sciences and actively engages in outreach to promote marine conservation. Her interdisciplinary approach and dedication to practical solutions make her a leading figure in coral reef restoration efforts.

Focus Areas

• Coral Climatology
• Human Impact on reef ecosystems

Role at Coral Reef Arks

• As a lead scientist and project manager for the Arks Puerto Rico Tea, Jess has  Organized and overseen the deployment and monitoring of the Puerto Rico Arks.

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“We’re not just planting coral. We’re rebuilding the language of the reef—microbes, fish, flow, light, chemistry—everything that makes a reef alive.”