Lead Scientist, Marine Biology

• Feb 2022 - Present

Science Writer

• Mar 2020 - Feb 2022

Science is exciting, but for the average Indian it inspires more dread than awe. During this pandemic - while field work and new research posed a logistical challenge - I decided to take the extra time to communicate some of the things I find most fascinating about the marine world. I've been working on popular articles and outreach material on somewhat off-beat topics like parenting and reproduction in the marine world, and seemingly gross things like mucus (links below). My underwater photographer friends have helped bring these articles to life with their amazing photographs and videos. Show less

Researcher

• Feb 2020 - Feb 2022

Currently working on some primary research manuscripts. This work pertains to zooplankton surveys I conducted in the Andaman Islands from 2018-2019, as part of Dakshin Foundations' project funded by India's Department of Biotechnology.

Marine Research Officer, ANET

• Apr 2017 - Jan 2020

Facilitated the growth of marine research and education programmes at ANET, located in Wandoor, South Andaman Island. ANET or the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team, founded by the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT), and currently managed by Dakshin Foundation, is a field base for interdisciplinary research and education. During my time there I was in-charge of developing marine research programmes, and infrastructure, planning logistics and designing college-level field-based marine biology and ecology courses at ANET, , and conducting marine outreach initiatives. From 2018-019 I lead a year-long study on the dynamics of marine plankton funded by India's Department of Biotechnology. Other ongoing projects included the study of cryptic biodiversity of coral reefs, intertidal ecology and ecosystem function. From 2019-2020, in collaboration with Andaman and Nicobar Department of Environment and Forests, we successfully completed 3 coral reef ecology and marine conservation workshops for marine tour operators, dive professionals and forest guards; creating a toolbox of activities, lectures and outreach material. Show less

Program Officer

• Jan 2014 - Oct 2016

Responsible for projects under the Biodiversity and Resource Monitoring (BRM) Program including grant raising, personnel supervision, program development, project management and execution. During my four years in the BRM program I developed projects under both the 'Sustainable Fisheries' and 'Marine Flagships' subheads. We studied the social and ecological dynamics of the live-bait pole and line tuna fishery in the Lakshadweep Islands, developed community-based fisheries catch monitoring program, generated environmental outreach materials pertaining to Lakshadweep’s sustainable fisheries, and liaise with policy makers. In the Andamans - we conducted coral reef ecological research and initiated a citizen science coral reef monitoring program called REEF LOG, partnering with SCUBA dive operators in Havelock Island. Show less

Research Assistant

• Jun 2012 - Jan 2014

Marine Science Educator

• Aug 2011 - May 2012

Planned and executed semester-long college and high-school level marine science courses aboard the tall-ships, SSV Harvey Gamage and SSV Spirit of Massachusetts. The teaching methodology for courses in Marine Sciences, Ichthyology and Ocean Sustainability included interactive lectures, hands-on-experiments, environmental sampling, ecological exploration, observations, individual and group research projects. Planned and executed semester-long college and high-school level marine science courses aboard the tall-ships, SSV Harvey Gamage and SSV Spirit of Massachusetts. The teaching methodology for courses in Marine Sciences, Ichthyology and Ocean Sustainability included interactive lectures, hands-on-experiments, environmental sampling, ecological exploration, observations, individual and group research projects.