Simon Ellis is the director of the Marine and Environmental Research Institute of Pohnpei (MERIP) and the Pacific coordinator/aquaculture specialist for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (UHH-PACRC). More recently, Simon joined Hawaiʻi Sea Grant in contributing to sustainable development and weather adaptation outreach efforts in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands through their Indigenous Cultural Heritage program. Efforts focus mainly on building alternative livelihoods with Indigenous populations throughout the region, primarily through sustainable aquaculture of sponges, giant clams, corals, and pearls. More recently, outreach efforts have been focused on the effects of shifting weather patterns on fisheries and coral reef ecology to better prepare local peoples for these changes. Ellis also acts as regional liaison for the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS), helping to coordinate monitoring activities for a series of inshore water quality monitoring sensors throughout the islands.