Francesca Adrienne

Spatial Scientist and Founder, Seychelles Hydrospatial Observatory for Research and Exploration Institute

Seychelles

Francesca is a spatial scientist and founder of the Seychelles Hydrospatial Observatory for Research and Exploration Institute. She works at the intersection of deep-sea exploration, hydrospatial equity, and SIDS ocean governance, while developing SHORE. Francesca is pursuing a PhD on just and inclusive deep ocean data systems.

Parfait Ditoma Akounda

Student, University of Kara

Togo

Parfait is a student in the final year of his bachelor’s degree in oceanography. He is passionate about new technologies, which has driven him to pursue a path in oceanography. He hopes to contribute something new that will better the lives of people in his community, while helping protect the oceans, which are the lungs of our planet.

Muadh Al Harrasi

Oman National Hydrographic Office

Oman

Muadh graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering in 2016 and joined the RNO in 2017. Muadh joined the Hydrographic office in 2020 and earned CAT A hydrographic certificate and postgraduate certificate in oceanography from the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire, USA in 2024.

Farah Amjad

MSc in International Marine Science, Heriot-Watt University

Maldives

Farah is a marine ecologist from the Maldives working on coral reef biodiversity and conservation. She is particularly interested in how scientists from small island states can take the lead in studying their deep-sea ecosystems using accessible exploration approaches, especially since so many deep-sea habitats remain to be studied and research continues to reveal new species.

Carlota Amoda

PhD Student, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto

Portugal (from Mozambique)

Carlota is a marine biologist and researcher at Instituto Oceanográfico de Moçambique. She is pursuing a PhD at the University of Porto, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, CIIMAR specializing in mesophotic and deep-sea sponge habitats. As a member of (OWSD) Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World since 2021 and Deep-Sea Biology Society since 2026, she is committed to deep-sea research and equity.

Progga Paromita Chand Awishi

Oceanography Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet

Bangladesh

Progga is an oceanography student at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). She is passionate about marine research and environmental sustainability. Her goal is to contribute to ocean conservation through innovative research and data science to help protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practices.

Mubarak Bankole

Offshore Surveyor and Geoscientist

Nigeria

Mubarak is an offshore surveyor and geoscientist from Lagos, Nigeria. He has spent 400+ days offshore performing hydrographic surveys, subsea positioning, and geophysical data processing. He holds a bachelor of science in geology and a postgraduate diploma in surveying, which he completed with distinction. He has worked on different projects for Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron. Mubarak is seeking to transition from offshore energy into deep-sea research and exploration.

Ndague Diogoul

Marine Scientist and Fisheries Acoustician, Oceanographic Research Center of Dakar

Senegal

Ndague is a marine scientist and fisheries acoustician based at Centre de Recherches Océanographiques de Dakar-Thiaroye/Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Sénégal. She holds a PhD in marine environment from Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar. Her research focuses on pelagic ecosystems, small pelagic fish, and scattering layers, using hydroacoustics to study ecosystem dynamics, species distribution, and to support fisheries management in West Africa.

Nanabanyin Ekumah

PhD Student, Centre for Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast

Ghana

Nanabanyin is a coastal researcher and emerging scientist with a growing focus on deep-sea research. He holds a bachelor of science in marine science from the University of Ghana and a master of philosophy in oceanography and limnology from the University of Cape Coast. His work integrates coastal dynamics with deep-ocean exploration, remote sensing, and modelling.

Abdelouahab El Haissen

PhD student, Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Geosciences at the University of Trieste, Italy.

Italy (from Morocco)

Abdelouahab is a marine geoscientist; his research focuses on marine sediment dynamics, land-sea interactions, and the impacts of human activities and climate change on coastal environments. He has experience in oceanographic fieldwork and environmental monitoring, contributing to a multidisciplinary approach to understanding coastal and marine systems.

Uchenna Emenyonu

Researcher, Centre for Blue Economy Research and Development

Nigeria

Uchenna is a Nigerian blue economy expert and a researcher at the Centre for Blue Economy Research and Development Nigeria Ltd/Gte. He leads the IOC-UNESCO-endorsed African Youths Sustainable Ocean Campaign and has supported Nigeria’s blue economy strategy, focusing on deep ocean governance, sustainability, maritime security, and youth capacity development.

Emmanuel Ofosu Mireku Ewusi

Fisheries Manager, Ghana’s Fisheries Commission

Ghana

Emmanuel is a fisheries manager at Ghana’s Fisheries Commission, specializing in fish genetics and oceanographic research. He is experienced in marine surveys, ecosystem monitoring, and transboundary fisheries projects. His work integrates science into policy, supporting sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and evidence-based ocean governance.

Victor Eyo

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State

Nigeria

Victor is an academic specializing in fisheries and aquaculture, with research interests in deep sea fishes, fish biodiversity, aquatic ecosystem management, and sustainable fisheries. His work focuses on the biology and nutrition of fishes, and promoting best practices for sustainable use and conservation of aquatic resources.

Omolara Fola-Matthews

Researcher, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research

Nigeria

Omolara is a marine biologist and fisheries conservation researcher with expertise in fisheries bio-ecology and sustainable fisheries management in West African coastal waters. Her broader interests include coastal-deep sea connectivity, environmental impacts on marine biodiversity and translating science into policy-relevant conservation action across African coastal systems.

Kenneth Gichuka

Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

Kenya

Kenneth is a marine research scientist specializing in the intersection of fisheries, data science, and community conservation. He is particularly driven by deep-sea exploration, a critical yet understudied frontier in the Western Indian Ocean. By leveraging data-driven insights, he aims to strengthen regional ocean research, food security, and the sustainable management of our most mysterious aquatic depths.

Olivia Ann Grech

Master’s Graduate in Applied Oceanography, University of Malta

Malta

Olivia is an applied oceanography master’s graduate transitioning from 14+ years in IT as a software developer and product manager. She brings technical and systems-thinking skills to the intersection of marine science, technology and policy. Olivia aims to contribute to marine conservation through deep-sea awareness, integration of accessible exploration tools, research and environmental management in Malta and beyond.

Abdulmujeeb Bolaji Hamzat

Research Officer, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research

Nigeria

Abdulmujeeb is a research officer specializing in marine pollution, with a focus on microplastics, organic contaminants, and their ecological risks in tropical aquatic systems. His work involves field sampling, laboratory analysis, and environmental monitoring of coastal and inland waters, with a growing interest in deep-sea pollution and oceanographic research.

Manuja Promodya Hendawitharana

PhD Student, University of Barcelona

Spain (from Sri Lanka)

Manuja is a pre-doctoral researcher at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) - CSIC, Barcelona, and a PhD student at the University of Barcelona, Spain. He is a Sri Lankan national and recent graduate from the IMBRSEA master program. His thesis work focused on deep-sea vertical wall communities in the Galapagos. His current PhD work is on deep-sea macroecology of the abyssal Holothurian communities in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ).

Onogateoghene Idoge

Hydrographic Surveyor, National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria

Nigeria

Onogateoghene is a hydrographic surveyor with the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria. He holds a master of science in hydrographic science. As an experienced hydrographic surveyor, ocean mapper and data manager, he is broadening his interests in marine science, ocean exploration, and sustainable ocean use.

Hendrina Kadila

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, National Marine Information and Research Centre, Swakopmund

Namibia

Hendrina is a Namibian benthos enthusiast, she holds an honors and master’s degree in fisheries and aquatic sciences from UNAM. She excels in data analysis, species assessment, and marine ecosystem management. Driven by a passion for ocean exploration, she aims to advance deep-sea research and foster community-based conservation with innovative technologies.

Ahlem Kheloul

Student, University of Lille

Algeria

Ahlem is an Algerian marine scientist working at the Marine Station of Wimereux, developing a new tool using niche models in order to make our fisheries economically and biologically sustainable.

João Domingos Maúnze Júnior

MSc Student in Applied Marine Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM)

Mozambique

João is a Mozambican Physical Oceanographer specialized in coastal dynamics and high-resolution numerical modeling (CROCO). With a background from UEM, he focuses on the interaction between mesoscale processes and biophysical connectivity in the Mozambique Channel. He currently studies connectivity between Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and offshore ecosystems, aiming to strengthen oceanographic forecasting capacity and coastal resilience in the Western Indian Ocean.

Benson Mbani

Lecturer and Founder, Spatial Intelligence and Environmental Analytics Lab (SIEAL), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

Kenya

Dr. Benson is a Lecturer and founder of the Spatial Intelligence and Environmental Analytics Lab (SIEAL) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya. He holds a PhD in marine data science from GEOMAR/Kiel University. His current research develops GeoAI pipelines for coastal ecosystem monitoring and Blue Carbon verification in East African estuarine environments.

David Mboglen

Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development

Cameroon

David is a marine ecology researcher whose work focuses on the ecological mechanisms governing deep-sea sharks. His expertise focuses on trophodynamics and ontogenetic ecology, investigating how dietary transitions and habitat shifts define the life cycles of these vulnerable predators. He also uses stable isotope analysis (SIA and CSIA-AAs) of muscle and eye lenses to accurately reconstruct their ecological history.

Abdirizak Mohamed Ali

Postgraduate Researcher, University of Trieste / Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

Somalia

Abdirizak is a postgraduate researcher in sustainable blue economy at the University of Trieste, with over 10 years of experience across academia, NGOs, and government. He works with Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy and holds an ISA Fellowship in deep-sea exploration and development. He wishes to advance sustainable ocean solutions and practical, low-cost marine technologies.

Stana Mousbe

United Kingdom (from Seychelles)

Namibia

Stana was born and bred in the Seychelles islands, where she spent all of her life before moving out to the United Kingdom to pursue her degree. She is an adventurous soul who loves being outside in nature, either admiring scenic views, chasing sunsets or simply in the sea. She is excited to participate in the Accessing the Deep program and is looking forward to the knowledge, skills, connections and friendships to come.

Cretus Joseph Mtonga

Lecturer, University of Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

Cretus is an assistant lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania. He is a doctoral candidate at the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Germany focusing on environmental DNA application and developing reference databases for fish using the portable Oxford nanopore sequencer. He is looking forward to learning methods for accessing the deep and applying these techniques.

Muddula Krishna Naranji

Vikrama Simhapuri University

India

Muddula is a marine science researcher focused on fish biology, reproductive ecology, and coastal ecosystems. He is experienced in fisheries science and data-driven analysis, with a strong interest in sustainable marine resource management and conservation.

Sofia Nogueira

PhD Student, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE-Madeira), University of Madeira

Portugal

Sofia holds a bachelor of science in Biology from the University of Lisbon and a master of science in marine sciences from Utrecht University. She is currently a PhD student at MARE-Madeira and the University of Madeira, using low-cost imaging technologies to study biodiversity, identify ecological drivers of community structure, and map biotopes in the archipelago’s mesophotic and twilight zones.

Aina Le Don Nomenisoa

Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines

Madagascar

Aina Le Don Nomenisoa is an ocean scientist from Madagascar, currently serving as head of the Madagascar National Oceanographic Data Centre (MD-NODC) and National Focal Point for IOC-UNESCO. He has experience in ocean remote sensing, coastal ecosystem mapping, and field-based research. He actively mentors students and contributes to building national scientific capacity.

Angela Nyangwe

African Network of Deep-water Researchers

Kenya

Angela is a master’s graduate in marine and freshwater biology from the University of Nairobi, specializing in microplastics & meiofauna of Kenyan coastal creeks. She is an early-career researcher with an interest in deep-sea organisms, with training from Ifremer and ISA. She supports projects within the African Network of Deep-water Researchers and is passionate about marine conservation.

Opeyemi Oyatola

Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research

Nigeria

Opeyemi is a marine researcher at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research. His research career has largely focused on pollution studies in marine and coastal environments. Opeyemi has conducted assessments of organic and inorganic contaminants, including nutrients, radionuclides, and other physicochemical parameters in water and sediment.

Reshmitha Pappu

Postgraduate Student, Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu

India

Reshmitha is a postgraduate student in marine biology and oceanography at Annamalai University, India. Her research interests center on marine biodiversity, with a focus on deep-sea ecosystems and invertebrates. She has experience in genomic techniques and is driven to explore and understand life in extreme ocean environments.

Jadidu Salvatory

Founder, Blue Horizon

Tanzania

Jadidu is an ocean conservation and environmental advocate from Tanzania with a background in aquaculture and aquatic science. He is also the founder of Blue Horizon, a non-profit organization working to protect the ocean and the environment through ocean clean up projects, ocean education, and community and youth engagement.

Remars Silas

Graduate, Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment

Papua New Guinea

Remars is a graduate of the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment with a Bachelor's degree in Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Resources, majoring in Fisheries Science and Management. He is passionate about marine conservation, fisheries management, and understanding ocean ecosystems, with a strong interest in sustainable use of marine resources.

Samuel Tawiah

Laboratory Technician, Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana

Ghana

Samuel is a laboratory technician at the University of Ghana and a member of the Ocean Margins Initiative (OMI). He specializes in water quality and nutrient analysis, supporting marine and coastal research through field sampling and laboratory operations, and is dedicated to advancing his expertise in ocean science and environmental monitoring.

David Umana

Eyesea Ambassador (Nigeria) | Student, BYU-Pathway Worldwide

Nigeria

David is an information technology student with a background in marine engineering, passionate about advancing into marine robotics. Through his engagement with the nonprofit, Eyesea, he has been able to contribute to ocean-focused initiatives and remain committed to using technology to explore, understand, and protect marine environments.

Margaret Wanjiku Wamaitha

Marine and Fisheries Research Scientist, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

Kenya

Margaret is a marine and fisheries research scientist. She holds a bachelor of science in marine resource management and specializes in marine biodiversity conservation, fisheries stock assessment and community based resource management. She is committed to advancing sustainable fisheries and supporting Kenya’s blue economy through research and stakeholder collaboration.

Gérard Zinzindohoué

Independent Ocean Professional

Benin

Gérard is an oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer with a background in climate change and marine science. His work focuses on improving ocean observation through technology. He is engaged in collaborative efforts to advance observational oceanography and deepen understanding of marine systems.