Melissa Giresi
Education Outreach Coordinator
Dr. Melissa Giresi is a marine biologist and educator with over 15 years of experience in ocean conservation, outreach, and education. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Texas A&M University, where she studied the population genetics of dusky smooth-hound sharks in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Melissa has worked in a wide range of educational and conservation-focused roles—from teaching marine science and SCUBA diving in Hawaii to developing and leading youth programs aboard educational sailing vessels. She has also taught advanced science courses in both public and private schools and instructed undergraduate biology labs during her doctoral studies.
In the Florida Keys, Melissa has collaborated with multiple dive operators to deliver conservation-based programming. As the former Director of Conservation for Rainbow Reef Dive Center and the Ocean Conservation Foundation, she trained interns, developed outreach initiatives, led grant and fundraising efforts, and built partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Melissa is a PADI Master Instructor and an Associate Member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. At Coral Restoration Foundation™, she supports educational programming with a focus on connecting people to the ocean and inspiring active participation in reef conservation.
