Victoria Anne Spencer

Victoria Anne Spencer, 33, passed away tragically on July 4, 2023, while surfing off the coast of Cornwall. Vicky was a marine biologist whose research on coral reef conservation earned her international recognition. Born in London, she discovered her passion for the ocean during childhood holidays in Cornwall a love that would define her career and ultimately her final moments. After completing her PhD at Cambridge, Vicky worked with the Marine Conservation Society and led several expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef and Caribbean. Her groundbreaking research on coral bleaching adaptation was published in Nature and influenced international conservation policies. Colleagues admired her fearless diving skills and her ability to communicate complex science to the public. Vicky is survived by her parents Charles and Elizabeth, her brother William, and her partner Mark. In her memory, her family has established the Victoria Spencer Marine Conservation Fund, which supports young scientists studying ocean ecosystems. As she often said: 'The ocean gives us life; the least we can do is protect it in return.' Her passion for the sea lives on through the work she inspired.