I am a marine biologist interested in marine biodiversity, evolution, and ecology, as well as in understanding and monitoring how benthic organisms interact with their environment. Throughout my academic career, I have been investigating octocoral diversity and evolution, from shallow waters to the deep sea, with a particular focus on the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific, combining morphological, genetic, and genomic approaches. My research also extends into monitoring of coral reef and coastal communities and characterisation of microbiomes and symbioses to better understand holobionts and their dynamics. Together, my research efforts aim to assess the distribution, resilience, and endemism of corals and benthic invertebrates to inform ecosystem management and conservation.