The science behind
every reef we build

45+ years of combined peer-reviewed research. Not as a credential — as the foundation of everything we do in the field. We know which corals will survive 2050. That knowledge is what we bring to every program.

45+
Years combined researcher experience
30+
Peer-reviewed publications by our founders
3+
Major research institutions: KAUST, AIMS, UTas

What we study.
What we build on.

Coral Thermotolerance

Identifying and cultivating coral genotypes with superior heat tolerance — the foundation of any restoration program that will survive in a warming ocean. Our founders have published extensively on heat-tolerant Red Sea and Indo-Pacific populations.

Coral Propagation Technology

Developing faster, cheaper, and more effective methods for growing corals at scale — from fragmentation and microfragmentation to larval settlement. Our patented nursery systems are the commercial output of this research.

Restoration Monitoring & Metrics

Building robust frameworks for measuring restoration success — coral cover, survival rates, biodiversity recovery, and ecological function. The REEFverse™ platform operationalises this into real-time dashboards and verifiable impact reports.

Symbiodiniaceae & Coral Biology

Understanding the algal symbiont communities that determine coral bleaching susceptibility — and using this knowledge to select and condition corals for long-term resilience in the field.

Peer-reviewed science
behind our work

2025
ThermotoleranceGenetics

Marine heatwaves select for thermal tolerance in a reef-building coral

A global study on Platygyra daedalea co-authored by Dr Sebastian Schmidt-Roach — finding that heat tolerance is heritable (19–49% across populations) and that genetically diverse populations hold the greatest adaptive potential for climate-resilient restoration.

Howells E.J., Abrego D., Schmidt-Roach S. et al. · Nature Climate Change, 2025
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2025
Cost EfficiencyTechnology

Cost-efficiency and effectiveness of coral restoration pathways

Led by Ocean Revive and KAUST, this comprehensive review compares the real-world costs of coral nurseries and outplanting methods globally. Median cost per outplant: ~$10 USD. Maritechture™ reef nails ranked among the fastest and most affordable techniques at $1.37–$2.16 per coral.

Schmidt-Roach S., Knorr T., Roch C., Klaus R. et al. · Restoration Ecology, 2025
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2023
Technology AssessmentRed Sea

A Framework for Assessing Scalable Coral Restoration Technologies in the Red Sea

A peer-reviewed study testing three coral restoration platforms during the KAUST Reefscape Initiative over 13 months. Ocean Revive's modular system (Technology A) demonstrated high structural integrity, low cost per unit area, and strong survivorship with heat-tolerant Acropora and Pocillopora species.

Milne et al. · Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023
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2023
News CoverageRestoration

Explore all research-linked news articles

Our news section covers science breakthroughs, peer-reviewed publications, field deployments, and the commercial case for reef restoration — written for the people who own, develop, and operate alongside reefs.

Ocean Revive News & Insights
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Interested in research collaboration?

We work with universities, research institutions, and NGOs on coral science. Get in touch to discuss potential collaborations.