I recieved my PhD from James Cook University where my thesis focused on the ecology of reef fishes on submerged pinnacle and seamount coral reefs. My research spans broad themes in fundamental ecology with specific interests in reef fish community ecology, biogeography, mesophotic coral ecosystems and ecological connectivity. My current research utilises Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and remote video technologies to investigate deep and distinct coral reefs in Papua New Guinea and The Coral Sea. I assist teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Marine Conservation Biology and supervise marine ecology HDR candidates.

Teaching

• MB3200: Marine Conservation Biology (Level 3; TSV)
• MB5004: Marine Conservation Biology (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Coral Reef Ecology
• Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems
• Remote Survey Methods
• Reef Fish Ecology
• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• Ecological Monitoring

Experience

• 2023 to present - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
• 2022 to present - Postdoctoral Research Associate, James Cook University
• 2021 to 2022 - Postdoctoral Research Assistant, James Cook University
• 2017 to 2021 - Doctoral Candidate, James Cook University

Research Disciplines

• Ecology (3103)
• Environmental management (4104)
• Oceanography (3708)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Marine systems and management (1805)
• Expanding knowledge (2801)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Galbraith G, Cresswell B, McClure E and Hoey A (2024) Tropical seamounts as stepping-stones for coral reef fishes: range extensions and new regional distributions from mesophotic ecosystems in the Coral Sea, Australia. Marine Biodiversity, 54.
• Cresswell B, Galbraith G, Harrison H, McCormick M and Jones G (2023) Coral reef pinnacles act as ecological magnets for the abundance, diversity and biomass of predatory fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 717. pp. 143-156
• Galbraith G, Cresswell B, McCormick M and Jones G (in press) Strong hydrodynamic drivers of coral reef fish biodiversity on submerged pinnacle coral reefs. Limnology and Oceanography,
• Gress Hernandez E, Bridge T, Fyfe J and Galbraith G (2023) Novel Interaction between a Rabbitfish and Black Corals. Oceans, 4. pp. 236-241
• Harrison H, Drane L, Cresswell B, Evans R, Galbraith G, Srinivasan M, Taylor B, Williamson D and Jones G (2023) Ageing of juvenile coral grouper (Plectropomus maculatus) reveals year-round spawning and recruitment: implications for seasonal closures. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, Biological Sciences, 290.
• Panero M, Galbraith G, Srinivasan M and Jones G (in press) Roles of depth, current speed, and benthic cover in shaping gorgonian assemblages at the Palm Islands (Great Barrier Reef). Coral Reefs,
• Pinheiro H, MacDonald C, Santos R, Ali R, Bobat A, Cresswell B, Francini-Filho R, Freitas R, Galbraith G, Musembi P, Phelps T, Quimbayo J, Quiros T, Shepherd B, Stefanoudis P, Talma S, Teixeira J, Woodall L and Rocha L (2023) Plastic pollution on the world's coral reefs. Nature, 619 (7969). pp. 311-316
• Galbraith G, Cresswell B, McCormick M, Bridge T and Jones G (2022) Contrasting hydrodynamic regimes of submerged pinnacle and emergent coral reefs. PLoS ONE, 17 (8).
• Galbraith G, Cresswell B, McCormick M, Bridge T and Jones G (2021) High diversity, abundance and distinct fish assemblages on submerged coral reef pinnacles compared to shallow emergent reefs. Coral Reefs, 40. pp. 335-354

Book Chapters

• Jones G, Srinivasan M, Galbraith G, Berumen M and Planes S (2022) Saving Nemo: Extinction Risk, Conservation Status, and Effective Management Strategies for Anemonefishes. In: Evolution, Development and Ecology of Anemonefishes. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, pp. 285-298

Other research outputs

• Hoey A, McClure E, Burn D, Chandler J, Huertas Martin V, Cresswell B, Galbraith G and Pratchett M (2023) Coral Sea Marine Park Coral Reef Health Survey 2022. Parks Australia, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]
• Galbraith G, McClure E, Barnett A, Cresswell B, Burn D, Huertas Martin V, Pratchett M and Hoey A (2022) Diving into The Deep: The Unique Habitats of The Coral Sea Marine Park. Parks Australia, Townsville, QLD, Australia [Report]

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 13+ research outputs authored by Dr Gemma Galbraith from 2021 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Changing mesophotic nature coral of reef ecosystems fish herbivory with depth: from shallow to upper mesophotic coral ecosystems (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Drivers of Biodiversity on Coral Reefs - the role of Antipatharians Supporting Species Richness and Abundance on Shallow and Mesophotic Reefs (PhD , External Advisor)
• Variation in the susceptibility of early life stages of macroalgae to herbivores (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.