DrPaige Strudwick

Dr Paige Strudwick is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Technology Sydney, working within the Future Reefs Research Group and the Coral Nurture Program (CNP) -  a long-standing science–industry partnership dedicated to optimising stewardship and restoration of coral reefs. Her doctoral research revealed how restoration practices influence coral-associated microbial communities, providing new insights into the mechanisms underpinning coral health and restoration success. Building on this foundation, her current research focuses on harnessing microbial communities to optimise coral propagation and out-planting techniques, improve restoration outcomes, and increase coral resilience under changing ocean conditions.

Through the Coral Nurture Program, Dr Strudwick works closely with tourism operators, Traditional Owners, reef managers, government agencies and conservation organisations to co-design and deliver research that directly informs restoration practice. She leads multidisciplinary field teams, research expeditions and capacity-building programs that bring together scientists, industry partners and local communities to advance evidence-based coral reef management. Through these collaborations, she supports the translation of research into practical management strategies that are scalable, impactful and deliver meaningful conservation outcomes.

Her research vision extends beyond tropical coral reefs to understand how corals persist in extreme environments, including mesophotic, high-latitude and naturally variable reef systems, to identify universal mechanisms of resilience that can inform future restoration and conservation. Through interdisciplinary research and collaborative partnerships, she is committed to protecting the ecological, cultural and economic values of coral reefs while ensuring that science delivers tangible benefits for the communities and industries that depend upon them.