Karyssa is an explorer and naturalist with a passion for marine life. She was born and raised in Alberta, but swiftly moved to the coast of British Columbia where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree majoring in Marine Science and Conservation at the University of British Columbia. 

Since graduating she has worked as an Educator and Interpreter at the Vancouver Aquarium, as a naturalist-guide in polar regions, and as a marine researcher and guide in Tofino/Ucluelet, where she now calls home. She also spent the past few years as the Executive Director of Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, monitoring, education, and marine mammal rescue. Through this position she led a number of marine monitoring projects, traveled around with a Killer Whale skeleton, and has even been elbow deep in a Grey whale performing necropsies. 

Karyssa is passionate about marine research and conservation, spending many hours on the water documenting whale encounters through photo-identification. She’s excited to share these passions by involving as many people as possible in citizen-science and monitoring projects.

When not on the water, you can find Karyssa in the sun enjoying a cup of tea and a good book.