Speaker — Neptune Forum 2026
Neha Acharya-Patel
Molecular Ecologist
Neptune Fellow — Ocean Abundance programme, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Neha Acharya-Patel is a marine scientist, professional diver, and ocean educator whose research exists at the intersection of biochemistry, genetics, and marine ecology. Her doctoral work focused on developing and applying innovative eDNA methods to various marine ecosystems with the goal of generating actionable insights for conservation. She is particularly interested in scalable techniques that can support global biodiversity monitoring with an emphasis on FAIR data generation. Her work has taken her on research and diving expeditions around the world, combining field-based science with laboratory genomics. Alongside her research, she works as a scientific diver and is passionate about helping others connect with the sea through ocean literacy and exploration.
