Dr Stephanie Gardner has a life-long passion for the marine environment, spending as much time as possible around the ocean. Steph’s post-graduate studies include a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology. Steph held a prestigious Australian Government Endeavour Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and worked at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona, Spain before being accepted into the Homeward Bound Program in 2018/2019. Upon return from Antarctica at the beginning of 2019, she started her current position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of New South Wales.

As a marine microbial ecologist, Steph’s research investigates how microbes, like bacteria, influence health and function of reef organisms like corals. Steph is the Secretary for the Australian Coral Reef Society, and actively supports developing the career paths of young scientists through her teaching, supervision and outreach activities. As an ocean advocate, her ultimate personal and professional goal is to raise awareness for and diagnose the problems facing our reef ecosystems, to safeguard them into the future. As part of the Superstars of STEM Program, Steph is excited to continue to inspire future generations.

Dr Stephanie Gardner is a Superstar of STEM.