Bio Summary:

• Dr. Emma E. George is an evolutionary ecologist and marine biologist whose work bridges foundational science with real-world conservation and restoration. With a deep background in host-symbiont interactions, community dynamics, and coral reef ecology, Dr. George brings a systems-level approach to the operational leadership of Coral Reef Arks. Her research has spanned coral reefs, coastal invertebrates, and marine holobionts, with a focus on understanding how environmental change reshapes ecological relationships.
• Previously a Postdoctoral Fellow, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Andrew Allen’s Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography emphasizing coral reef ecology, she focuses on algae and marine environments. She earned her Ph.D. from University of British Columbia, where she conducted pioneering work on microbial symbioses and environmental stress, including the use of advanced molecular and imaging tools to study ecological complexity. She has collaborated with international marine institutions in the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Pacific, contributing to research on coral adaptation, sponge microbiomes, and ecological resilience under climate stress.
• In her role as Chief Operating Officer, Dr. George leads strategic planning, site implementation, and interdisciplinary coordination across Coral Reef Ark deployments. She oversees regional partnerships, project logistics, and data-driven evaluation systems that ensure scientific rigor and operational excellence. Her interdisciplinary lens, combining evolutionary biology, field ecology, and molecular science, makes her a uniquely effective leader at the intersection of conservation innovation and community stewardship.

Focus Areas

• Field logistics and operations
• Coral reef Imaging and 3D reconstruction
• Evolutionary biology

Role at Coral Reef Arks

• As our Coo, Dr George Dr. George coordinates cross-functional teams spanning engineering, restoration science, and community engagement, ensuring smooth execution from reef site assessments to post-deployment monitoring. She makes sure that scientific protocols align with local regulatory requirements, and ensures  that data collected from Ark sites informs adaptive management and future design improvements.

“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.”

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