National Geographic Explorer, Marine biologist

Dr Melissa Boonzaaier-Davids is a National Geographic Explorer, South African marine biologist, specialist taxonomist, and science communicator whose work focuses on the taxonomy, ecology, and conservation of marine invertebrates. With nearly two decades of experience studying South Africa’s marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems, she has developed particular expertise in the curation and research of marine invertebrate collections, especially bryozoans (moss animals) and abalone.

She holds a BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology and a BSc Honours in Zoology (Stellenbosch University, 2008), followed by an MSc in Zoology (Nelson Mandela University, 2011). She completed a PhD in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (University of the Western Cape, 2017), with a doctoral thesis on the diversity and zoogeography of South African bryozoans, which marked her transition into research on microscopic marine invertebrates. Dr Boonzaaier-Davids has over a decade of curatorial and research experience at Iziko Museums of South Africa, where she is also an Honorary Research Associate. Her work contributes to marine biodiversity monitoring, species identification, and the development of ecological baselines that inform the sustainable management and conservation of South Africa’s coastal and marine resources. In 2022, Melissa was selected as a National Geographic Explorer for her work investigating marine invertebrate diversity and for her efforts to expand public awareness of ocean ecosystems.

In 2022, she was awarded the Protea International Curatorial Exchange, funded by the John Ellerman Foundation. In the same year, she received the International Bryozoological Association (IBA) Award to attend the IBA Meeting, and the Ernst Mayr Small Grants Award. In 2023, she received the Global Senckenberg Fellowship in Germany. She currently serves on several national and international boards, including the Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), the International Bryozoological Association (IBA), and the Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA), where she was elected Vice-President in 2025. In the same year, she was awarded the Potentia Award in recognition of her scientific contributions to marine science and science communication.

She is also the lead organiser of the HerStory in Science Workshop at the Iziko South African Museum, a role she has held since 2025, promoting visibility and inclusion of women in science. Most recently, she was selected to participate in the Explorer Spotlight at the first National Geographic Festival held in South Africa. Currently, Dr Boonzaaier-Davids works as a fisheries scientist and is the co-founder of Mella Environmental Consulting, where she applies her scientific expertise to heritage and biodiversity research and science communication initiatives.