Chelsea Bennice is a marine biologist and science communicator. Her research interests include animal behavior and ecology, with an expertise in octopus biology. She earned a B.S. from The Ohio State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. She is a research fellow at Florida Atlantic University’s Marine Lab and serves as a lead scientific diver and board member for the Scientific Diving and Boating Safety Committee. She uses innovative science tools such as a 24 hour camera, the octopus monitoring gadget (OMG), and a floating lab to aid in answering research questions. Her “octo-topics” include behavior, the skin microbiome, genetics, and morphology. Her research is highlighted in popular articles and scientific publications. Chelsea is an advocate for bridging scientists and the community.

Her responsibilities at the FAU Marine Lab also include overseeing outreach projects and mentoring students in the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Marine SEA Scholars (Science, Education and the Arts) program. She serves as the lead scientific advisor for the nonprofit, OctoNation®, whose mission is to inspire ocean exploration and conservation by understanding octopuses. Spending more than 1,000 hours underwater studying octopuses has earned her the nickname “OctoGirl,” a signature she uses to share her passion for octopuses and conservation on social media, podcasts, documentaries, and in recent books such as Secrets of the Octopus.