Our Team

Gwilym Rowlands is the Large-scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI) project lead. Gwilym is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton where he heads the Marine Spatial Ecology Applications (MSEA) Lab . Gwilym’s research examines how earth observation data, such as satellite imagery, can be best harnessed to the needs of ecology, conservation, and management. This work includes image and spatial analysis, field monitoring and survey, as well as mathematical modelling to quantify and conserve marine habitats, estimate marine carbon stocks (Blue Carbon), as well as fisheries applications. His work spans tropical and temperate regions of the world, in coastal and oceanic settings and draws on satellite, airborne and vessel-borne sensors.

Eylem Elma is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Marine Spatial Ecology Applications (MSEA) Lab. Eylem focuses on tropical marine ecology, conservation and management. She employs a variety of statistical methods, GIS, and remote sensing technologies to support her research. Her work on LaSMMI is concentrated on mapping seagrass habitats to support climate change mitigation efforts by contributing to policy development and enhancing nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Eylem also explores how reef communities change in response to disturbances, with an emphasis on ecosystem processes and functioning in the context of coral reef resilience.

Arthur Tuda is the Executive Secretary of WIOMSA, dedicated to advancing marine conservation and governance in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. A champion of ecosystem-based approaches, he leads efforts to integrate science and policy, with a focus on seagrass mapping and addressing climate change impacts. Dr. Tuda’s work promotes regional collaboration, empowering local communities and MPA managers to conserve vital ecosystems like seagrasses, which play a critical role in climate resilience and biodiversity protection.

Damboia Cossa is the Coastal Ecosystem Program Coordinator at WIOMSA, where she coordinates the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Large-scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI), a project supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts. Damboia holds a PhD in Marine Sciences from Gothenburg University, Sweden, and brings over ten years of experience in coastal ecosystem conservation. She specializes in seagrass conservation, management, and innovative mapping tools.

Stacy Baez is a senior officer with Pew’s advancing coastal wetlands conservation project. She develops and manages the project’s scientific research portfolio to advance the protection and restoration of coastal wetlands and coral reefs. Particularly, she leads research and management of the Large-scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI) on Pew’s side. Dr. Baez has worked on science initiatives to enable the creation of large, fully protected marine areas worldwide, and she also worked to establish Caribbean shark sanctuaries. Dr. Baez holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Morgan State University and a doctorate in oceanography from Old Dominion University.

Inês Fernandes contributes to Pew’s advancing coastal wetlands conservation project, providing research and management support for the Large-scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI) and providing policy support across the team’s portfolio. Fernandes has worked on managing and providing policy expertise to blue carbon and nature-based tourism projects across Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Fernandes holds a bachelor’s degree in law from NOVA School of Law in Portugal and a master’s degree in international development studies—with a focus on policy and ocean and coastal conservation—from The George Washington University.

The University of Southampton is a research-intensive university founded in 1952 based on the South Coast of England, with campuses in Southampton, Winchester, Malaysia and India, that is known for its academic excellence and innovative approach to research.

The Marine Spatial Ecology Applications (MSEA ) Lab is based within The School of Ocean and Earth Science. MSEA uses the tools of remote sensing, GIS, and geospatial modelling to better understand spatial and temporal dynamics of marine ecosystems. We work across a variety of spatial and temporal scales to deliver practical solutions for conservation, management, and policy, with most of our work exploring environmental patterns, processes and interactions operating at large (national to regional) spatial scales.

WIOMSA works with members, various partners and Governments with a view towards sustaining the use and conservation of marine resources across 10 countries of the Western Indian Ocean. 

WIOMSA acts to coordinate the scientific outputs and goals of LaSMMI, with national and regional conservation and management objectives.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is a global non-profit organization dedicated to improving public policy, informing the public, and invigorating civic life. Through rigorous research and analysis, Pew addresses critical issues such as environmental conservation, health, and economic policy. Our mission is to drive positive change and create a better future for communities worldwide.

The Advancing Coastal Wetlands Conservation team at The Pew Charitable Trusts is dedicated to advancing the protection and restoration of coastal wetland ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass, and salt marshes. The team engages in projects across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Western Indian Ocean to support nations in developing and implementing robust Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement that protect or restore their coastal wetlands. Through partnerships with local and regional research institutions, universities, nongovernment organizations, and all levels of government, Pew works to strengthen these nations' research, policy, and financial capacity to conserve coastal wetland ecosystems.