Meet the team
Our team brings together decades of experience and expertise with a shared commitment to people and nature through building and sharing knowledge and tools.
Mat Vanderklift
Director
Mat is based in Perth, Australia and is responsible for implementing the Blue Carbon Hub's vision and work program. Mat is an experienced scientist who has spent over 30 years studying coastal ecosystems, with a particular focus on understanding the interactions among the plants and animals in those ecosystems, and their responses to the way that humans use them. He has worked in seagrass, coral reef, and other coastal ecosystems widely in the Indian Ocean, as well as in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas.
His research in blue carbon encompasses the science of ecology and biogeochemistry, and also policy, legal and financial frameworks. He has hosted international conferences and workshops, trained early career scientists and policymakers, and leads a range of projects and activities that seek to enhance our understanding of blue carbon and improve the frameworks in which they are managed.
Why I do it: Mat strives not just to study problems, but to use science to solve them. He has a passion for training early career scientists and practitioners, building an international community of blue carbon heros.
Mark Wilson
Operations
Mark (also based in Perth, Australia) has over 15 years of experience managing the operational, logistical, and technical aspects of research projects across both governmental and non-governmental sectors. With a unique blend of specialised technical and logistical expertise, he has successfully facilitated domestic and international research expeditions, workshops and conferences, as well as various training and capacity-building initiatives. His work spans both domestic projects in Australia and international programs across Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
Mark is Director of Blue Logistical Solutions, where he develops practical, cost-effective logistical solutions that support scientific research, field programs, domestic and international conferences and events. He also serves as Program Director of the Blue Capacity Micro-Grants Program, leading initiatives that strengthen opportunities for early-career researchers and emerging scientists.
Why I do it: Mat strives not just to study problems, but to use science to solve them. He has a passion for training early career scientists and practitioners, building an international community of blue carbon heros.