Bio Summary:

• Dr. Ty Roach is a leading molecular biologist and coral reef ecologist known for his work combining lab-based molecular methods with field-based restoration initiatives to create cutting-edge conservation, restoration, and mitigation strategies. Through his work at the Coral Resilience Lab, based at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology and Duke University, Dr. Roach has helped pioneer innovative, climate-wise solutions to urgent global challenges. His team’s work includes the development of Coral Reef Arks, as well as cutting-edge approaches like coral probiotics and precision medicine techniques to enhance reef resilience in a changing climate.
• He earned his Ph.D. as both an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and Inamori Fellow through a joint program between San Diego State University and UC San Diego. His research is published in leading journals such as Nature Microbiology, Nature Communications, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and his science  underpins his scalable restoration strategies.
• Before his career as a restoration scientist, Dr. Roach attended NC State University on an NCAA Division I Wrestling Scholarship, where he triple majored in Biology, Botany, and Chemistry and graduated as the University Valedictorian in 2009. Ty is also a decorated athlete and professional surfer who toured with the World Surf League for multiple years. His accolades include being a state champion, All-American, and Hall of Fame wrestler, as well as being a two-time national surfing champion and four-time east coast surfing champion. Ty also has a black belt in Tang Soo Do.
• Combining elite performance and leadership, with deep scientific passion and expertise, Dr. Ty Roach brings a rare, holistic perspective, making him uniquely suited to lead Coral Arks in protecting reef ecosystems at scale.

Role at Coral Reef Arks

• As Our CEO and Lead Scientist, Dr Ty Roach is responsible for shaping both the scientific and strategic direction of the Arks organization. He is uniquely positioned to lead Coral Reef Arks because of his deep expertise in marine science, visionary leadership, and successful execution of innovative restoration projects. His principal role is to orchestrate scientific, operational, and community-led strategies to scale a globally replicable model for coral reef revival, one that is inclusive, affordable, and ecologically transformative.

“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.”