Mandy Cheung

As a part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), my PhD project focuses on estimating the effects of climate change on coral bleaching and rubble creation, and examining the subsequent implications on future reef recovery potential on the Great Barrier Reef. My project includes collaboration with NOAA and the University of Exeter, UK. This will ideally inform reef management, restoration actions and decisions to protect the GBR from the impacts of climate change.

I have an immense interest in using scientific evidence to inform marine conservation and management actions, as well as to motivate people to protect nature. Prior to my PhD, I earned my Master of Conservation Science degree at UQ, in which I studied the spatial patterns of thermal stress and the cumulative impacts of consecutive mass bleaching events on coral connectivity on the GBR under the supervision of Professor Peter Mumby and Dr. Karlo Hock. I also worked to analyze a large dataset from the citizen science project Great Reef Census to assess coral communities and cover.

Before moving to Australia, I worked for a number of environmental NGOs on cetacean conservation, environmental education, marine debris survey and plastic pollution campaign in Hong Kong after obtaining my Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in Biology from Queen’s University, Canada. For my undergraduate thesis, I investigated the potential of using environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect freshwater algal bloom. Academic aside, I am also a committee member of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, which focuses on scientific research, community education and campaigns to protect the local marine mammal species.