Our founder

Meet Dr. Elaine Leung

After devoting over 15 years to studying threatened marine animals, Dr. Leung completed her PhD with a heartbreaking realization that more than 30 of the species she had interacted with would go extinct within her lifetime. At the same time, climate anxiety is wreaking havoc on people’s mental health, with youth being disproportionately impacted. Driven by the desire to address both these challenges, Dr Leung recognized that by empowering youth with the knowledge and tools to take action to protect our planet we could solve these two big problems of crippling climate anxiety and environmental threats. In 2016, Sea Smart emerged as the embodiment of Dr. Leung's vision, aiming to ignite a deep love for the ocean within the hearts of youth worldwide. 

Dr. Elaine Leung speaking into a microphone in front of a camera.

An international speaker and expert on ocean issues, Dr. Leung has been featured on various media channels, including: Global TV, CTV, Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun, CBS, USA Today and Fairchild TV, educating people both locally and globally on the importance of protecting our ocean and our environment.

Dr. Leung’s accomplishments with Sea Smart have been recognized with several awards, including:

Dr. Elaine Leung standing on a log at the beach posing with two young children.

Dr. Leung has inspired waves of change in the hearts and minds of thousands of people worldwide.

  • Speaking at WE Day Vancouver 2018 to empower 20,000 people to beat plastic pollution 

  • Providing recommendations for international ministers at the G7 Summit 

  • Researching threatened marine animals for over 15 years with various government, universities, non-profits 

Dr. Elaine and Dr. Sylvia Earle at the G7 Summit
Dr. Elaine speaking at 2018 WE Day conference to 20,000 students

Dr. Leung’s research career highlights

  • Dr. Elaine Leung holding a pup

    Alaska, USA

    Investigating factors influencing the decline of Steller sea lions.

  • A killer whale diving into the ocean

    British Columbia, CAN

    Conducting population monitoring studies on whales, dolphins, sea lions and fish in Northern BC.

  • A group of pups on sand

    Subantarctic, NZ

    Studying the development of foraging behaviour to inform conservation management of the world's rarest sea lion.

  • Dolphins swimming in the ocean

    Hawaii, USA

    Conducting population monitoring and management studies on the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

  • Dr. Elaine Leung holding a penguin

    Antarctica

    Studying the ecology and demographics of penguins, fur seals and elephant seals.