tropical marine ecosystems
Research Focus
Mads is currently working on several high-impact research projects in tropical marine ecosystems across the globe. From gender equity to marine megafauna, Mads has a multidisciplinary research background and enjoys taking unconventional, creative approaches to generate innovative, inclusive solutions for the ocean. With a particular focus on human stressors and how they impact marine life, Mads is passionate about exploring the intersectionality of marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.
Current Projects
HOPE REEF, Indonesia
Coral Reef Restoration & Reproduction
Beginning in September 2026, Mads’ PhD research will investigate how we can improve the scale and success of coral reef restoration. Based around MARS’ HOPE Reef in Sulawesi, her research will explore the reproductive connectivity of restored reefs, innovations in coral larval propagation, and the potential for bioacoustics to support reef recovery. Working across ecology, restoration and underwater sound, the research aims to understand not only how restored reefs recover, but how they can become self-sustaining ecosystems capable of supporting the next generation of coral reefs.
raja ampat, Indonesia
Manta Rays & Human Disturbance
In collaboration with Universitas Muhammadiyah Sorong and conducted under a BRIN research permit, in 2024-5 Mads led an independent research study on human activity and manta ray ecology at cleaning and feeding sites in Raja Ampat. Combining in-water behavioural surveys with acoustic monitoring, the research explores how boat traffic, tourism pressure and associated noise may alter the behaviour and habitat use of reef manta rays. The study recorded 543 manta rays alongside boat and tourist activity, building a dataset designed to better understand disturbance in one of the world’s most important manta ray habitats and help inform responsible marine tourism and conservation management.
Publications: Pending
in collaboration with
Gender equity
In The Ocean Space
Alongside marine science, in her role as managing director for Women in Ocean Science (WOS) Mads leads several gender-barrier focused research projects. In September 2020, Mads launched the first large-scale Sexual Harassment Survey with Women in Ocean Science to help gauge how prevalent sexual harassment in the marine science workplace and learning environments is – and what deters women from reporting it.
Publications: Sexual Harassment in Marine Science Report (2021)
