Coral Reef Ecologist Conservation & Restoration Coral Reef Ecology & Paleoclimate Reef Monitoring • Resilience • Restoration • Mesophotic Reefs • Deep Sea Benthic Ecology Email: jkarisa@kmfri.co.ke Email: jfuraha@gmail.com Academic Qualifications PhD – Biodiversity
MPhil – Fisheries Management
BSc – Fisheries and Aquatic Science Professional Certifications Divemaster Certification (SCUBA)
Underwater Cinematography & Storytelling Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Mombasa Research Centre
Department: Oceanography and Hydrology
Specialization: Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation
Research Interests: Coral Reef Resilience, Coral Reef Restoration, Paleoclimate Reconstruction, Mesophotic Reefs, Deep Sea Benthic Ecology, Marine Protected Areas | Leadership Focus: Advancing coral reef conservation through monitoring, restoration, and resilience assessment; exploring paleoclimate reconstruction using corals; and building capacity among coastal communities for sustainable marine resource utilization. Dr. Juliet Karisa is a coral reef ecologist and conservationist whose research activities include coral reef monitoring, biodiversity assessment, socio-ecological resilience assessments, habitat mapping, and coral reef restoration. Recently, she has engaged in research on paleoclimate reconstruction using coral organisms, contributing to understanding historical climate patterns and their implications for reef ecosystems. Dr. Karisa is also participating in deep sea research on benthic ecology that includes studying mesophotic reefs – the light-dependent coral ecosystems found at depths of 30 to 150 meters that represent a largely unexplored frontier in coral reef science. She also conducts regular trainings and capacity building for coastal communities on the sustainable utilization of marine resources, empowering local stakeholders in conservation efforts. An avid SCUBA diver with divemaster certification, Dr. Karisa has recently trained in underwater cinematography and storytelling, enabling her to effectively communicate marine conservation messages and document underwater ecosystems through visual media. She holds a BSc in Fisheries and Aquatic Science, an MSc in Fisheries Management, and a PhD in Biodiversity. Research Specializations & Expertise Coral Reef Monitoring Biodiversity Assessment Socio-Ecological Resilience Assessments Habitat Mapping Coral Reef Restoration Paleoclimate Reconstruction (Coral Organisms) Deep Sea Benthic Ecology & Mesophotic Reefs Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Underwater Cinematography & Storytelling Key Research Contributions & Publications Coral Reef Vulnerability Assessment – Co-authored research on vulnerability to collapse of coral reef ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (Nature Sustainability 2022), contributing to global understanding of reef ecosystem threats and conservation priorities. Spatial Heterogeneity of Coral Reef Communities – Lead author on research examining spatial heterogeneity of coral reef benthic communities in Kenya (PLoS ONE 2020), providing critical baseline data for reef management and conservation planning. Marine Organisms & Climate Change – Co-authored research on marine organisms' response to climate change effects: adaptation or extinction (Journal of Indian Ocean Rim Studies 2020). Coral Bleaching & Mortality – Co-authored research on spatial variability of scleractinian coral bleaching and mortality induced by the 2010 ENSO between northern and southern reefs, Kenya (Coastal Marine Science 2017). Migrant Fisher Access – Co-authored research on factors influencing migrant fisher access to fishing grounds (WIO Journal of Marine Science 2018), contributing to understanding of fisheries social-ecological dynamics. Coral Recruitment & Mortality – Research on temporal and spatial variation in coral recruitment and mortality in coastal Kenya (CORDIO Status Report 2008) and coral settlement patterns in the Mombasa Marine National Park (CORDIO Status Report 2005). Dr. Juliet Karisa's research and conservation leadership at KMFRI strengthens the Institute's capacity to monitor, restore, and protect coral reefs – contributing critical scientific evidence for understanding reef resilience, climate change impacts, deep-sea benthic ecology, and community-based conservation initiatives that safeguard Kenya's marine biodiversity and support sustainable coastal livelihoods. | 
