An oceanographer, she focuses her research on understanding the relationships between coral reef sustainability, resilience and resistance to stress. She has directed and managed regional scientific expeditions, developed and designed the multimillion dollar Little Cayman Research Centre, and holds multiple prestigious academic positions: Oceanography professor at Kean University, as well as courtesy faculty status at Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Science and the University of Florida Department of Forestry and Conservation. Dr. Manfrino is a principal investigator and partner with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the Little Cayman NOAA Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS) Integrated Coral Observing Network (ICON).