Suchana Apple Chavanich, Ph.D.

Using technology to advance coral reef restoration in Southeast Asia

Coral reefs are critically important for supporting marine biodiversity, sustaining coastal fisheries, and buffering shorelines against storms. Yet these ecosystems face growing threats from rising ocean temperatures, disease, pollution, and coastal development. Coral restoration—propagating and planting new coral colonies on degraded reefs—is gaining popularity globally as a reef conservation strategy, but success rates remain low.

Suchana Apple Chavanich will develop and apply innovative methods to advance reef restoration in Southeast Asia, a region with some of the world’s richest coral diversity. Working in Thailand, Chavanich will refine techniques for producing new corals through sexual propagation and banking frozen coral sperm and eggs—critical methods for preserving the genetic health of restored populations. Additionally, Chavanich will study juvenile corals to identify traits linked to heat-stress resilience and collaborate with local communities and government managers to implement locally led restoration efforts.

See the full list of 2026 Pew marine fellows.