Resistant Reefs, Resilient Communities: Science for Collective Survival

As ocean temperatures rise, coral reefs face increasing threats, but not all corals respond the same way. Some show remarkable resistance to heat stress. In this talk, I share recent work identifying heat-tolerant coral colonies in Belize and discuss how these findings can inform the future of reef conservation and restoration. Yet resistance is not just ecological, it is also social. Just as we seek corals that can survive environmental extremes, we must also build systems that support the persistence and success of underrepresented communities in science. Drawing from my experiences as a marine biologist and advocate for equity in STEM, I explore the intersections of research, representation, and restoration. What does it mean to center justice in conservation? And how can science become a tool not just for survival, but for collective transformation?