Miss Rachel is a graduate of BSc in marine science, specialized in using data science for marine conservation. She work as a Research Assistant with the World Resources Institute in Washington, DC, U.S.A. During her leadership term she would like to collaborate with peers studying marine science in the Western Indian Ocean to better understand the data environment in the Western Indian Ocean. But also to improve data dissemination, promote data literacy to ensure scientists, NGOs, and policy-makers in WIO region and take advantage of the “data revolution” to manage marine ecosystems.

Other people should join the WIO-ECS Network to contribute to and benefit from a network of young marine-science professionals who share a passion for one of the most ecologically important coasts in the world. She advices early-career scientists planning to pursue careers in marine science to Network, network, network! Never be afraid to read papers, blogs, or Linkedin profiles and then reach out to the authors and researchers whose work interests you and connect!.

Twitter: @rachelthomss

Instagram: @rachelthoms

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-thoms