Tuckahoe NY Pride

Ruth Gates was a marine biologist and visionary coral-reef researcher who pushed the field toward hope in the face of climate change. Leading the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, she advanced work on coral resilience and selective breeding—popularly framed as “super corals”—to help reefs survive warming seas. She also modeled inclusive scientific leadership, mentoring diverse students and communicating science with warmth, urgency, and imagination. Her work invites everyone to protect habitats. Gates’ work at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology is featured in the captivating Netflix documentary, Chasing Coral. NOAA established a coral restoration grant competition in her honor.

Quote: “People have to listen to each other and collaborate, because the minute egos take over, the level playing field is gone.”

Photo credit Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology