Marisol Mendoza

Peruvian marine biologist leading coral restoration in the Pacific Ocean

Marisol Mendoza is a Peruvian marine scientist whose coral restoration work in the Galápagos Islands has pioneered new techniques to combat climate change impacts. As director of the Coral Resilience Initiative, she developed heat-tolerant coral hybrids that survived 2016's record-breaking ocean temperatures, achieving 85% survival rates compared to 15% natural rates.

Her 3D Coral Framework project uses biodegradable structures to accelerate reef growth, with installations in 12 Pacific nations. This method increases coral settlement by 400% compared to traditional methods. Mendoza's team also created the CoralWatch Peru citizen science app, engaging 10,000+ volunteers in reef monitoring.

Awards include the 2021 Rolex Award for Enterprise and the UNESCO Young Scientist Prize. She co-founded the Pacific Coral Alliance, linking 200+ researchers across 15 countries. Current projects involve CRISPR-edited coral strains resistant to both heat and disease. Her documentary 'Rebuilding the Rainbow' (2022) explains her work to global audiences, winning the Environmental Film Festival's top prize. Mendoza's approach combines cutting-edge science with community engagement, creating replicable models for marine conservation.