Jennifer Smith

Jennifer Smith is an Associate Professor in marine ecology and conservation in the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
Smith’s research focuses on understanding the factors that influence community structure in marine ecosystems. Her research often goes beyond basic ecology by integrating conservation, restoration, management, and sustainability. Her current research focuses on determining how local and global-scale human impacts affect coral reefs around the globe.
Smith is also co-director of the 100 Island Challenge, a current initiative to study the coral reefs from 100 islands around the world to gain a holistic understanding of the current state and future of the world’s coral reefs. In her research, Smith uses high-resolution photo mosaics, custom software to create 3D mappings of reefs, benthic underwater microscopes, autonomous underwater pH sensors to monitor ocean acidification and more.

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