Hi! I’m Sarah

A woman with long, light brown hair smiling outdoors with a blurred natural background.

I am a Coral Reef Research Coordinator in the CORRL Lab at the University of the Virgin Islands, and I co-founded and run Reefs Unknown, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

My research interests lie in mesophotic fish ecology. In the Virgin Islands, much of the commercially important fisheries are found on these deeper reefs, since the shallow reefs no longer support these populations. Despite their importance, mesophotic reefs are understudied and often forgotten by management plans. I seek to advocate for understanding and conserving mesophotic reefs, not as deeper versions of shallow reefs but as valuable ecosystems in their own right.

A woman smiling and sitting on a hillside overlooking a coastal area with boats anchored in the turquoise water and an island in the distance.

Outside of work, I love to spend time on and in the water, hike with my dog, and travel with my family.

I also love to crochet, read, write, and watch movies.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I am passionate about mesophotic fish ecology and the technical scuba diving that allows me to work in the mesophotic realm. You can read more on my Research page.

  • I live and work mainly in the US Virgin Islands, on the island of St. Thomas. My work has taken me far, to places including Bonaire, Bermuda, and Panama. I am interested in studying mesophotic and other marginal reefs all around the globe with my nonprofit Reefs Unknown.

  • Of course! Please contact me to discuss opportunities.

  • I am not a professor or an advisor, so I can’t support a graduate student, however I am open to serving on graduate student committees and informal mentoring. Please reach out to see whether we are a good fit.

    Reefs Unknown will someday take interns but we are not set up for it yet.

  • There are so many things! The main one is to continue to educate yourself on the biggest issues facing the ocean today, and how humans are contributing to their causes. Make sure to continue reading and learning throughout your life as science is always improving.