Christine de Silva

Christine de Silva is a marine biologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. Her research focuses on making marine monitoring more accessible by designing compact, affordable BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) systems that can be deployed from small vessels. She also develops AI tools to automate species identification and ecological analysis in underwater video, supporting scalable, long-term marine monitoring. In collaboration with the Atlantic Shark Institute and other regional partners, her work supports shark conservation and expands access to ocean technologies. Follow her work on Instagram @silva_seas_sharks).​

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Beyond her fieldwork, Christine is a passionate science communicator and advocate for ocean conservation. She regularly collaborates with documentary filmmakers, educational organizations, and NGOs to raise awareness about the critical role sharks play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Christine’s approachable style and commitment to scientific integrity have made her a trusted voice in both academic and public circles, inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards.