Dr. Elaine Fisher is a marine biologist who led Jamaica’s biodiversity conservation policy and strategy through her work at the Institute of Jamaica and The University of the West Indies and on several national and international committees. Born in Montego Bay, she studied at both Hampton and Wolmers’ High Schools, later attending The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. She graduated in 1965 with her Bachelors’ Degree in zoology and chemistry and became the Assistant Curator of the Science Museum, IOJ. Following a 3-year stint there, she returned to The University of the West Indies as a Research Assistant and moved up the ranks of Scientific Officer to Assistant Lecturer whilst studying a variety of marine invertebrates for her post-graduate degrees. Her M.Sc. focused on Corallimorpharia, sometimes known as Mushroom corals (they are related to stony corals but do not have stony exo-skeletons) and Actinara, commonly referred to as Sea Anemones. Her Ph.D. in Marine Zoology awarded in 1986 focused on the ecology and systematics of Jamaican Sabellids, popularly known as Feather-duster worms. Soon after being awarded her Ph.D. she returned to the IOJ as the Director of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica. She acted as Executive Director of the IOJ for several years but retired in 1999, a year after her formal appointment to the position. Dr. Fisher chaired the Committee which guided the development of Jamaica’s first Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (1998 – 2002). Her career focused on the conservation of Jamaica’s biodiversity and she served tirelessly on numerous national and international committees for this purpose. Dr. Fisher represented Jamaica at numerous conferences and meetings related to biodiversity and was the first Chairman of the National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica from its inception in 2014. Dr. Fisher was awarded the Silver Musgrave Medal for eminence in Science by the Institute of Jamaica in 2003.