Science is at the heart of everything we do at CORAL—and Dr. Helen Fox is leading the charge. For the past five years, Helen has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing our global conservation science strategy with a focus on resilience, innovation, and integrity. A seasoned marine ecologist and natural connector, she bridges cutting-edge research with local partnerships to protect the world’s coral reefs.
Meet Dr. Helen Fox!
2025 marks Helen’s fifth anniversary with CORAL, and we’re celebrating! Read on to hear straight from Helen about the journey so far, what inspires her about the road ahead, and a few fun facts you might not know about the woman behind the science.
Q&A
You’ve been with CORAL for five years now. What are you most proud of?
It’s hard to choose just one thing! But I think what I’m most proud of is building up a great team and how we’re working to integrate science into real-world solutions.
We’ve developed strong international partnerships with local communities and organizations, governments, and fellow scientists to conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and develop effective evidence-based adaptation strategies that are socially equitable. It’s incredibly fulfilling when data can drive change.
How has CORAL’s science approach evolved under your leadership?
When I joined, CORAL already had a strong commitment to science-based action and was just finishing a research collaboration that showed the importance of genetically diverse, well-connected reefs to enable evolutionary adaptation to climate change. We also had impressive field science showing our effectiveness at reducing local threats like sewage pollution and overfishing.
What I’ve tried to do is take the next steps towards developing practical guidance and tools for estimating coral genetic diversity, and CORAL is also launching a project with partners that integrates our on-the-ground work with a regional planning approach that can be a model as we grow.
We’re asking bigger questions now, like how can we ensure reefs survive for the long haul? And how do we make sure local people benefit directly from conservation? The science is getting more interdisciplinary and inclusive, and that gives me a lot of hope.
What are you most excited about looking ahead?
I’m really energized by the expansion of our adaptation work with an approach we’re calling the Roadmap to Reef Resilience. This climate-smart, inclusive management roadmap will ultimately strengthen networks of reefs to foster coral adaptation amid climate impacts.
Read more about the Roadmap to Reef Resilience in our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan >
We will leverage existing studies and data to develop a state-of-the-art model for climate-resilient marine spatial planning. This helps us identify priority areas for conservation and guide both short- and long-term protection strategies, including reducing pollution from wastewater and improving management of MPA networks. We will engage diverse shareholders and policymakers at local and regional levels to ensure sustainable and effective reef management.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your journey into marine science?
While looking back, my path seems clear (in fact, I was born in Puerto Rico and could swim before I could walk), it sure didn’t feel that way at the time.
I grew up in central Pennsylvania and was lucky enough to take a gap year after high school, made easier by my Dad being on sabbatical in Australia. I got a job working as a waitress on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef and learned to SCUBA dive there in 1989 – I fell in love with these amazing but threatened ecosystems.
After graduating from college, I wasn’t ready for the big commitment of grad school, and was fortunate enough to get a year-long Fulbright award at the University of Queensland, including trips to Heron Island again, this time to the research station. The next year, I worked as a fish feeder, tank cleaner, and researcher in the lab of a friend’s father at Stanford. I met many PhD students, including my future husband, Rex, and applied for grad school from there.
I was interested in human impacts on coral reefs, and a fellow lab-mate was finishing up his PhD in Indonesia; he helped me get started conducting research in that amazing country. I’ve always been motivated by curiosity and collaboration more than a traditional career ladder.
What’s your favorite moment underwater?
Oh, there are so many! But one amazing opportunity that stands out was living underwater for 9 days in the Aquarius habitat in the Florida Keys, studying deep-water stomatopods (mantis shrimp) for my UC Berkeley advisor, Roy Caldwell.
How do you recharge outside of work?
I’m a big fan of spending time in nature, ideally with friends and family, and a bonus if the ocean is nearby. I also look forward to reacquainting myself with my quilting hobby once my youngest goes off to college this fall. And I never say no to a Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret show!
Want to see the science in action?
Support our work and help Dr. Helen Fox and the CORAL team continue driving forward coral reef solutions grounded in hope, knowledge, and community.
