she was born in wellington, new zealand in 1920. she graduated from victoria university college with a bachelor of science in 1941 and a master of science two years later. she remained as a demonstrator at victoria college and became a junior lecturer and then received a tenured position in 1949. her work in marine biology received worldwide attention and she was awarded a doctor of science in 1962, the first woman at victoria to be recognised with that degree. two species of coral, "sphenotrochus ralphae" and "caryophyllia ralphae", were named for her.