Dr. Jacqueline Uku is a Senior Research Scientist and Research Coordinator at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). She is currently the President of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA). She is also a Co-Opted member of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). She holds a PhD in Plant Physiology from Stockholm University and a MSc in Biology of Conservation from the University of Nairobi. In the recent past, she has also been the Project Coordinator of the World Bank funded Kenya Coastal Development Project (KCDP). Her work is focused on strengthening the contribution of ocean science to Blue Economic growth, fostering linkages between communities, scientists and policy makers and enhancing ocean literacy in the Western Indian Ocean region. Along with Dr. Jan Mees, Dr. Uku has served as the Co-chair of the GOSR2020 Editorial Board. She is also a member of the C-Grass working group for SCOR.