Yuri Latypov first observed live corals in Australia about 30 years ago and was struck by the beautiful growth and diversity of these remarkable animals. Since then he has had the opportunity to look and study at corals and coral reefs throughout the world from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef up to Seychelles. He spent more than 3,000 hours underwater. He has conducted fundamental and applied research on coral in many places and has published the results of these studies in different scientific journals, 5 books and conference proceedings. Dr. Latypov gives especial attention to studying of corals and reefs of Vietnam. Last year he investigated opportunities of restoration of reef communities and carried out experiments on artificial cultivation and rehabilitation of corals on the Vietnamese reefs.