Marisa holds a Bachelor of Science (Health Science) with Curtin University and a Master of Health Security (agrosecurity) with the University of Sydney. Marisa has volunteered and worked in Australia and Asia on health promotion and food security projects and research. She has previously worked with the International Livestock Research Institute in researching One Health and antimicrobial resistance.

Marisa’s PhD aims to explore influence of migration and remittances on fishers and the fishing sector in the Kingdom of Tonga from the youth perspective. The research will explore the lived experience of young Pacific women and men in terms of how they experience opportunities and constraints on their livelihoods and engagement in fisheries, fisheries management, and how they respond to these opportunities and constraints in seeking to secure their livelihoods over time. Marisa is passionate about contributing to fisheries governance research by furthering the understanding of generational dynamics in the governance of Pacific coastal and fishing communities.