Conservation and the ocean are two things Tess has always felt passionate about, and this, coupled with her love of diving, led her to pursue a career in the field of marine conservation. Graduating from the University of Tasmania with a degree in Marine Science in 2012, she has since spent her time in different environments, working as a dive professional, marine conservation manager, and volunteering as a marine biologist with projects in sea turtle conservation, community outreach, and reef restoration. Tess is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Newcastle, studying the relationship between coral diseases and their microbiome.