Moving marine science forward takes a dynamic and creative team. We are a collective of passionate scientists working globally with the expertise to plan and execute field programs, synthesize large datasets, quickly identify relevant conservation research questions, recommend innovative solutions, and communicate science to broad audiences.
Ashlee Lillis, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Dr. Ashlee Lillis is a marine ecologist with over 20 years of experience working in diverse habitats across the globe, from cold oceans to tropical waters, shallow to deep-sea environments. Her research focuses on the larval ecology of marine invertebrates, reef biodiversity, coral reproductive ecology, and marine soundscapes. Her work was the first to establish underwater sound as a settlement cue for oyster and coral larvae. Ashlee is a National Geographic Explorer, Research Associate Faculty at the University of New England, and has previously worked as Postdoctoral Scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a coral program director for The Nature Conservancy. Using a collaborative interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Lillis seeks to connect diverse ideas, techniques, and people to advance ocean research, conservation, and management objectives. Alongside her work to directly support conservation and communities, she remains inspired by exploring the unique and understudied regions, habitats, and organisms of the sea. As Executive Director of Sound Ocean Science, Ashlee serves as Chief Scientist and leads the hands-on development and implementation of all of our projects. Curriculum vitae
Michelle Caputo, Ph.D.
Chair of the Board, Co-Founder
Dr. Michelle Caputo studies the ecology, behaviour, and conservation of marine organisms, with a focus on megafauna such as dolphins and whales. Dr. Caputo is currently an Assistant Professor of Marine Mammal Ecology at University of New England in Maine, USA. She brings a range of expertise in GIS, ecological modeling, stable isotope analysis, statistics, and population ecology to the SOS team. Previously, as a joint postdoctoral scientist at Florida International University and Rhodes University in South Africa, Michelle investigated the trophic and population ecology of cetaceans, sharks, and other top predators in a variety of systems. Dr. Caputo continues to use rigorous scientific research to address pressing marine conservation concerns, including better understanding interactions between ecological processes and human activities. Her expertise in trophic ecology enables us to examine changes in ecosystem functioning related to environmental change and human intervention. As Chair of the SOS Board of Directors, Michelle provides strategic input and oversight of our programs and vision. Curriculum vitae
Samantha Kremer
Research Associate
Samantha Kremer is a recent graduate from the University of Waterloo, Canada where she completed a B.Sc. in Science and Business, specializing in biology. She joined the SOS team as a research intern in 2025, assisting with coral reproduction and reef soundscape projects in Zanzibar and in 2026 is continuing her research in fish acoustics in the Caribbean. Her interdisciplinary background extends from business development, youth empowerment, and bioacoustics research. Sam has worked and volunteered across Africa and Europe, expanding her international mindset and community-oriented work style. She will soon begin her Masters studies with the aim to contribute to the development of research-informed marine policies and management.
Corina Marks
Research Associate
Corina Marks is a marine scientist with a passion for conservation, and holds a Masters degree in Coastal Policy & Science. She is equipped with a broad range of talents in project management, logistics, training, field sampling, data analysis and synthesis. Her skillset includes Graphical Information Systems (GIS) and mapping. During her career she has worked as a research technician and analyst at Moss Landing Marine Lab, CSU Monterey Bay, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Now based in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, she leads coral reef conservation and coastal resilience programs while managing a unique Caribbean eco-hotel.
Emily Nixon
Research Associate
Emily Nixon is a dedicated marine conservationist, educator, and scientist with an interest in applying scientific inquiry to applied conservation and restoration. She brings experience in both lab and field settings in remote locations, with a skillset that includes coral reproduction, larval husbandry, genetic sampling, and molecular analysis. Emily is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography where she is investigating relationships between symbiont assemblages and juvenile coral recruitment with an aim to improve coral conservation outcomes. As an SOS Research Associate, Emily provides a sounding board and expert insight into our coral and microbe-related research projects.
SOS Scholar Program – Tanzania
As part of our commitment to capacity building, we established the Sound Ocean Science Scholar Program in Zanzibar. This intensive 3-month training program is designed to build local marine science and conservation leadership capacity in Tanzania. Delivered jointly by SOS and marinecultures.org, placement aims to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice, particularly for early-career Tanzanian marine scientists whose university education has provided basic theoretical foundations but limited hands-on, scientist mentored data collection and field-based experience.
Abbas Mbarouk
Sound Ocean Scholar 2026
Abbas Mbarouk is an early career scientist with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine science from the University of Dar es Salaam’s Institute of Marine Science. A native Zanzibari, he is passionate about ocean conservation and restoration, particularly coral reef ecosystems. Following his graduation, Abbas worked for African Impact, an NGO centered around sustainability and responsible tourism. He has experience as an educator in sustainable marine tourism especially in dolphin and coral reef tourism. During his time as an SOS Scholar, Abbas is excited to be part of our coral larval propagation project with marinecultures.org, and to further develop his skills and experience in coral reefs restoration and conservation.
Past Interns
Starting in 2023, Sound Ocean Science recruited “shrimpfluencer” interns to support our education and outreach efforts, particularly in social media. The initial global intern cohort learned about SOS projects and research, developing infographics, visual communication tools, videos, and educational post series. These talented early career marine scientists and conservationists are applying their skills in a variety of geographies worldwide.
