Vivian started her marine science career in Sydney, where she received a BSc in Microbiology (Hons) and Marine Biology at the University of NSW. In 2006, she commenced a PhD at James Cook University exploring the establishment and development of the symbiosis between corals and their algal symbionts, including whether elevated temperatures alter establishment patterns. Vivian continued her research on corals as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher at California State University, Northridge. Here, she investigated how rising temperatures and ocean acidification affect the physiology of the early life stages of corals. She continued her career as a Research Associate in the ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies in Townsville, where she worked on coral systematics, reproductive biology, larval ecology and symbiosis. Vivian commenced her postdoctoral position at Macquarie University in late April 2015, working with Melanie Bishop, David Raftos and Wayne O’Conner. Working on Sydney rock oysters, she is exploring whether genes associated with stress resistance and fast growth in selectively-bred farmed oysters are flowing into wild oyster populations, and how this potentially changes the structure and function of wild oysters.