As a marine biologist, Taryn Foster never expected her career to lead her back home to her family’s masonry factory in Geraldton, 400 kilometres north of Perth, but that is exactly where she has been figuring out how robotics and automation can restore coral reefs.

In between her studies, Dr Foster worked on and off at the family business The Blockmakers, which manufactures stone products for construction projects such as limestone blocks, retaining wall blocks and pavers.