Valeriya is a marine scientist with over 12 years’ experience in fish habitat associations, habitat restoration and research into the effects of habitat modifications on the performance and persistence of marine organisms. She has conducted her research in Australia and abroad in many remote and challenging environments. Her current research interests lay primarily in marine eco-engineering, habitat restoration, fish ecology, marine population connectivity, effects of ocean sprawl on marine organisms (e.g. pollution, invasion hubs, ecological traps) and improvement of management strategies of those anthropogenic impacts."