Vivian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, with a focus on intertidal studies during her undergraduate research. She is currently a Program Member at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology – Center for Community Education. Passionate about conservation, Vivian is dedicated to inspiring others to care for their ‘āina and the natural world around them.

Throughout her career, she has contributed to marine debris research, working to identify the origins of debris and develop root-cause solutions. She has also assisted studies on sea turtle basking behavior, focusing on how basking preferences relate to algal species present in their habitat.

In addition to her research background, Vivian has extensive experience in animal husbandry, caring for reef fishes, sea turtles, sharks, and birds through her work as an aquarist.