Francesca BENZONI

Professor of Marine Science Francesca Benzoni  explores the diversity, evolution, and ecology of corals and coral-dominated ecosystems across the tropical Indo-Pacific, with a particular focus on the seas around the Arabian Peninsula. Prior to joining KAUST in 2019, she held appointments in Marine Biology and Zoology at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, New Caledonia, and the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy. She has led or participated in numerous research expeditions across the tropics leading to substantial discoveries in reef corals biodiversity and a rich international collaboration network. Her multidisciplinary approach, bridging fieldwork to the lab, has led to significant advancements in the integrated systematics and biogeography of corals, resulting in the identification and description of new species and the revision of existing taxonomic classifications. Her commitment to fundamental discovery and knowledge transfer extends to organizing international oceanographic expeditions, training, and workshops for local communities and stakeholders dedicated to understanding coral reef diversity throughout the Indo-Pacific.