Liv Williamson, Ph.D.
Assistant Scientist
Marine Biology & Ecology
Liv is an Assistant Scientist at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. As a member of the Coral Reef Futures Lab, she tests intervention strategies to increase the survival, fitness, and resilience of reef-building corals in the face of climate change. Focusing primarily on reproduction and early life stages, Liv uses “assisted evolution” approaches such as managed breeding and microbiome manipulation to improve outcomes for the next generation of corals. Her research informs reef restoration efforts in Florida and beyond. Within the X-REEFS project, Liv manages and coordinates all coral reproduction and larval rearing efforts across partner organizations, and leads all project-related public outreach. Liv shares her passion for the underwater world through science communication, education, and citizen science, with the goal of empowering non-scientists, women, and members of underrepresented groups to participate in marine conservation. She also creates and contributes to visual media projects to raise awareness of environmental issues and inspire stewardship. Liv graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in environmental science in 2017, and earned her Ph.D. in marine ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science in 2022.
