Viki Kolatkova is a marine biologist and DCBC-certified Occupational SCUBA Diver with nearly a decade of experience in underwater fieldwork, ecological data analysis, and scientific reporting. She holds a B.Sc. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and an M.Sc. in the Ecology of Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

In 2020, Viki relocated to Canada to pursue a Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Victoria, where her research focuses on microbial diseases affecting seagrasses, kelp, and other aquatic macrophytes. Her academic work contributes to advancing understanding of marine ecosystem health and the impacts of pathogens on coastal vegetation.

As a professional diver, Viki has participated in numerous coastal restoration and habitat enhancement projects across British Columbia, including eelgrass transplants, kelp restoration, and marine debris removal. She also regularly supports herring spawn and ecological monitoring surveys with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Outside of her professional work, Viki is an active volunteer with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) Station #31 in Brentwood Bay, where she serves as part of the Advanced Crew, contributing to marine safety and community response initiatives.