I am a marine biologist in Scientific Services, South African National Parks (SANParks) where I implement and coordinate research and monitoring programs in marine protected areas and translate the findings into biodiversity management and policy actions. I am an Honorary Research Associate at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and I completed my PhD in biological sciences at the University of Cape Town, and my research interests include conservation biology, top predator conservation, protected area effectiveness, behavioural ecology and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. During my PhD, I co-established the Save Our Seas Shark Centre in Kalk Bay, South Africa. I also helped strategically grow the non-profit organisation, Shark Spotters, whose vision is the sustainable co-existence of people and sharks, and currently serve on the executive committee. I also serve on several national working groups including the National Marine Biodiversity Working Group, the Top Predator Scientific Working Group, the South African Whale Disentanglement Network, the Seabird Technical Team and the Scientific Authority of South Africa. I am committed to conducting research that gets used in education, conservation, management and policy for effective decision making. I am a qualified boat skipper, rescue diver, and I love exploring wild open spaces on land and sea. I am happiest when I am wearing gumboots, on a boat at sea, surrounded by sharks.