Meet the Team
@mads_ocean | Mads St Clair is an MSc tropical marine biologist, divemaster and founder of non-profit organisations Women in Ocean Science and The Marine Diaries. Originally from the UK, her obsession with the enthralling world of coral reefs has taken her across the globe. From noise pollution & marine bioacoustics to megafauna, she has a diverse background in tropical marine fieldwork, with a particular research interest in manta rays. Seeing the destruction of the marine environment first-hand, in recent years Mads has transitioned from scientist into ocean advocate. She has channelled her energy into becoming a freelance ocean content creator, to document the changing world through her media and apparel company, Nü Wave and podcast OceanPoddy.
@aniuta_safri | Anna Safyghin is a enthusiastic and passionate marine biologist, environmental educator and free diver with a strong passion for everything warm and tropical. Though originally from Italy and Russia she has been working in the last few years in and around the Caribbean, researching both juvenile and adult nesting sea turtles as well as teaching college and high school marine biology courses. With a passion and strong interest for ocean conservation and management, Anna is hoping to go back to grad school to pursue a career in marine environmental law with the hope to be guiding new ocean conservation measures in the near future.
@michaela4341 | Michaela Farnham is a 23 year old marine biologist from Australia and is currently based on the Sunshine Coast. Having finished her BSc in Marine Biology in 2018, Michaela then worked as a Divemaster and Marine Educator on a liveaboard vessel in Cairns for some months before securing a position as an Aquaculture/Hatchery Technician on a crayfish farm. Since then she has been accpeted into a Masters Program at Stockholm University where she will study Marketing Communications. Her studies will begin mid 2020 and she is hoping to specialise in sustainability marketing. Being somewhat of an ocean fanatic, she enjoys every aspect of Marine Biology, being drawn to the fact that every organism has a role to play, whether great or small.
@madyloveswhales | Madyson Miller is from Florida and has her BS in Marine Biology. In the past she has volunteered her time to the Audubon Society working with local shorebirds and spent time in Indonesia as a Research Assistant working on several different projects ranging from coral temperature tolerance to observing coral boomies! As a lab and field technician, Madyson has worked on a project investigating microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in the Great Lakes and on the Coastal Marsh Bird Project in Mississippi. Currently she is attending the University of the Virgin Islands working towards her Masters in Marine and Environmental Science. She is excited to be part of the WOS team!
Social Media Team
@loryglory92 | Laura Koessner is a marketing professional with a deep passion for the ocean. Passionate in the field of branding and science with a focus on female entrepreneurs she enjoys exploring the under water world equipped with a PADI OWD. When she’s not diving in Mauritius or exploring the Aegean Sea,you may find her pursuing her quest to dive with Orcas.
@FARRAHJADELEONE | Farrah is from the murky waters of Long Island, right outside of NYC. After being asked to assist in an emergency sea turtle nest relocation mission as a girl, she decided to pursue a full career in the ocean sciences. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Siena College and a master’s in Marine Conservation and Policy from Stony Brook University. She enjoys being in the field as well as using her written skills to communicate science to a broader audience. Farrah loves all the critters of the sea and is excited to share that passion with those who come her way.
Editorial Team
@FABHLACH | Ally Hughes is originally from the emerald isle of Ireland. Her greatest passions are the ocean, animals from all habitats, and rugby! She spent wet family holidays as a child on the west coast of Ireland poking at jelly fish and the odd flora in rock pools. It was this curiosity that led her to study science at N.U.I.Galway before becoming a teaching and research assistant in marine natural products chemistry in Florida, USA. In 2017, she began her PhD in Glasgow, Scotland, investigating how environmental and light stress can enhance the production of natural products that we could use for human health. She has an open water NAUI SCUBA diving qualification and feels mos tat peace by the sea listening to waves and picking up shells to add to her overflowing collection.Her passion for the ocean has led her to pursue a career in ocean research, advocate for better scientific public engagement, and encourage young people from ALL walks of life to fall in love with the ocean and help protect our beautiful big blue
@MARINEMEMOIRS | Stephanie has been passionate about the natural environment for as long as she can remember. Since receiving her B.Sc in Marine Biology, she has dedicated the life to gaining a better understanding of the underwater world. She has worked across the Caribbean, is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and loves introducing people to the marine realm. Beyond the ocean she’ll get involved in anything that involves, conservation, baking, or karaoke.
@MARGAUX.93 | Margaux, a divemaster and Master of Science from the U.K. is devoted to providing a future with healthier oceans. She is particularly interested in the adaptation of marine organisms to the environment and has an extensive background conducting under water scientific research. Working across the world including the Maldives, Honduras and Indonesia has led her to believe that science is not finished until it is communicated! As an ocean advocate, Margaux is constantly bouncing around the world delving into the unknown in search of her next marine adventures