Reef Chats

Reef Chat is a laid-back, creative monthly conversation series that dives into the mysteries and realities of the deep sea, blending the insights of both art and science. Each session pairs one artist with a subject-matter expert to spark an informal, thought-provoking exchange centered on a specific theme.

A collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Reef Chat invites participants to stick around and join the conversation as long as they’d like. We aim to keep things fun, engaging, and open to all kinds of curiosity!

Our topics will range from deep-sea fundamentals to policy discussions, including pressing issues like deep-sea mining. The format is intentionally conversational and collaborative, not a panel, not a workshop. We want to create a space where everyone feels welcome to ask questions, share their ideas, or simply listen and be inspired.

We also invite you to check out the SOA’s Deep-Sea Academy.

All about the Deep-Sea

Paola Santiago Padua

“Saving the world, one coral at a time”, her team would joyfully say before diving into the lukewarm waters. Growing up on an island surrounded by coral reefs, Paola has been privileged to be part of the few research-based eCorts toward their restoration in Puerto Rico. After being a volunteer diver for over four years, this was the first time she was coming back as part of the response team after Hurricane Fiona in 2022. She has been involved in their coral nurseries’ development and advocacy events, which have empowered her to lead the first (free) ocean internship for students on the island. Admiring the resilience of our reefs upon a warming ocean has taught her how science, conservation, and education are a continuum that together pave the way toward ocean health. As a biology undergraduate and co-president of the coral restoration student chapter, she fostered great value in citizen science initiatives through beach clean-up events and outreach. Eager to explore beyond the reefs, Paola has embarked on three deep-sea expeditions so far. Now as a PhD student studying deep sea and Antarctic methane seeps food webs, Paola aims to bring Caribbean representation into the last frontiers on Earth: diving below sea ice in Antarctica. She looks forward to translating these skills into the Caribbean deep-sea exploration and grow into an ocean leader to pioneer its research eCorts to connect her community and broader Latin America with all of their ocean resources.

Meghan Jones

Meghan Jones has a BFA from the Alberta University of the Arts. She spent 12 years designing knitting patterns for magazines like Vogue Knitting before returning to her fine art roots in 2021. A chance connection with Deep Sea Scientists who shared photos from the deepest of ocean habitats captured her imagination in 2023 and rekindled a childhood love of all things science. Now Meghan uses her modern impressionism painting style, and research based art to raise awareness, and promote love for the deep ocean.