Gemma is a Lecturer in Lancaster Environment Centre. After graduating from the University of Essex with a degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology, Gemma took a contract lecturing coral reef ecology in Egypt, before returning to the UK to work for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. She was awarded a scholarship to study coral photobiology at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, after which she was offered a PhD with the University of London, based at the University Marine Biological Station on the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland, researching the population and behavioural ecology of marine crustaceans. After completing her PhD, Gemma took a role with ZMT Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, based on Curacao, investigating the role of coralline algae on scleractinian coral larvae settlement. For five years, Gemma worked as a Lecturer in Marine Biology at Blackpool and the Fylde College, delivering the Lancaster University accredited degree in Marine Biology. Following this, Gemma worked as a Research Associate in the LEC-REEFS group, in addition to working as a Researcher with Swansea University and Project Seagrass. She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. During the summer, Gemma works as the Senior Postdoctoral Marine Scientist for Operation Wallacea in Indonesia, overseeing the coral reef and seagrass research programme.