The Ocean Census Announces
2026 Species Discovery Awardees
Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards
The Ocean Census is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Species Discovery Awards — a celebration of the pioneering scientists and taxonomists driving the discovery and description of life in our ocean. With a total fund of $70,000, generously contributed by the Nippon Foundation, these awards aim to help overcome financial barriers related to marine species discovery.
The Species Discovery Awards provide crucial backing for taxonomic research, enabling visits to collections, advanced laboratory analyses, and the sharing of new species data with the global scientific community. By empowering researchers, the awards ensure that new discoveries not only expand scientific knowledge but also contribute directly to the mission of Ocean Census: accelerating the discovery of ocean life before it is lost.
All discoveries will be published open access in Ocean Census NOVA (unless embargoed).
Among last year’s highlights:
Dr. Marta Gellert (Tanaidacea): Marta coordinated AccTaS (Accelerating Tanaidacean Species Discovery through Taxonomic Collaboration), a major international effort to advance knowledge of Tanaidacea, a diverse but under-studied order of small benthic crustaceans.
Yves Terryn (Auger snails – family Terebridae): Yves discovered 67 new species of auger snails marking an incredible leap forward in bringing crucial clarity to a beautiful group of marine gastropods.
Representing Remarkable Diversity
This year’s 14 awardees represent a remarkable diversity of expertise, geographies, and ecosystems. From coral reefs to deep-sea habitats, their collective efforts will accelerate our understanding of Earth’s hidden marine biodiversity.
The Ocean Census will be showcasing the awardees in the coming weeks across our channels — sharing the stories behind their research and the impact of their work.
Meet the 2026 awardees
Maurício Romulo Fernandes
Research Taxa: Gastopoda (Triphoroidea)
Affiliation: Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO)
Andrea Nappo
Research Taxa: Gastropoda (Epitoniidae)
Affiliation: Malakos Malacological Museum
Thomas L. Turner
Research Taxa: Demosponges (Poecilosclerida)
Affiliation: University of California, Santa Barbara
Jason Williams
Research Taxa: Parasitic isopoda
Affiliation: Hofstra University (New York, USA)
Tohru Naruse
Research Taxa: Brachyura (crabs)
Affiliation: University of the Ryukyus
Peter Stahlschmidt
Research Taxa: Turrid Gastropoda
Anna Stepien
Research Taxa: Cumacea (Comma Shrimp)
Affiliation: University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection
Melissa Boonzaaier-Davids
Research Taxa: Bryozoa
Affiliation: Iziko Museums of South Africa
Svetlana Maslakova
Research Taxa: Nemertea (ribbon worms)
Affiliation: University of Oregon
Moumita Bhowmik
Research Taxa: Polychaeta
Affiliation: CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, India
Luz Ximena Orosco Montenegro
Research Taxa: Zooplankton
Michela Lee Mitchell
Research Taxa: Actiniaria, Corallimorpharia & Epizoanthidae
Jyothi Kara
Research Taxa: Annelida (worms) & Porifera (sponges)
Affiliation: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
David A. Ebert
Research Taxa: Chondrichthyans (sharks, skates, rays, chimaeras)
Affiliation: Moss Landing Marine Laboratories / San Jose State University
Interested in applying?
If you’re interested in applying for future Ocean Census Species Discovery awards, then please join the Ocean Census Science Network and make sure to sign up for updates via our newsletter.
If you have any questions for the science team please feel free to reach out: science@oceancensus.org
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