Chandana Pusapati Flagships science manager, 2022 -
Growing up in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, I have always been fascinated by the ocean and spent most of my childhood strolling by the beach. After half a decade away, I found an opportunity through my dissertation to return to the coast. While pursuing my masters in Climate Science and Policy at TERI University, I studied the effect of nest temperature on olive ridley hatchling fitness in Rushikulya and Chennai for my thesis, after which I joined Dakshin Foundation. I am currently working on the long-term monitoring project on sea turtles in Rushikulya and am interested in marine ecology, species-ecosystem interaction, and conservation education.
When I am not working or worrying about work, I love to read and too often end up using books as my means of distraction. Other times, I can be found staring at trees or hanging out with my dogs, or heavily indulging in cricket, badminton, and some dark chocolate.
When I am not working or worrying about work, I love to read and too often end up using books as my means of distraction. Other times, I can be found staring at trees or hanging out with my dogs, or heavily indulging in cricket, badminton, and some dark chocolate.
Debangini Ray Flagships outreach coordinator, 2021 -
I am an interdisciplinary ecologist from Guwahati, Assam, with a deep-rooted love for the sea and marine biodiversity. I remember seeing my first turtle as a kid in a beach in Puri – a dead olive ridley which went unnoticed by people around, like it didn’t matter. The beauty and serenity that it imbued even in death cast itself over me in a permanent sort of way, instilling an emotional connection with turtles which continues to this day, and always will. Additionally, my passion for writing and storytelling has led to the initiation of The False Trail, a citizen-science network where people share their observations, and interactions with urban wildlife in their cities.
I have worked with Turtle Survival Alliance-India, Greater Adjutant Stork conservation program at Aaranyak, Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program at WCS – India and National Biodiversity Mission at ATREE. I now work with the Marine Flagships program at Dakshin Foundation.
I have worked with Turtle Survival Alliance-India, Greater Adjutant Stork conservation program at Aaranyak, Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program at WCS – India and National Biodiversity Mission at ATREE. I now work with the Marine Flagships program at Dakshin Foundation.
Rhea George Sea turtle projects coordinator, 2019 - 2023
I am a graduate of FLAME University, Pune, where I majored in Environmental Studies with a minor in Literary and Culture Studies. Through college I developed a wide variety of interests, ranging from conservation and natural resource management to communication.
As part of Dakshin's team, I have primarily worked with the creation and collation of materials for their website- Sea Turtles of India, the editing and generation of outreach material, and assisted with the organization of a turtle conference. My role as TAG Coordinator has thus provided me with the rare opportunity to get the best of both worlds: a novice's glimpse into the world of ecology and research as well as the ability to hone and obtain new skills in the field of communications.
As part of Dakshin's team, I have primarily worked with the creation and collation of materials for their website- Sea Turtles of India, the editing and generation of outreach material, and assisted with the organization of a turtle conference. My role as TAG Coordinator has thus provided me with the rare opportunity to get the best of both worlds: a novice's glimpse into the world of ecology and research as well as the ability to hone and obtain new skills in the field of communications.
Srotoswini Majumdar Flagships outreach coordinator, 2022 - 2023
I am a development professional interested in transdisciplinary research, advocacy, crafting communication strategy, policy analysis, and program designing. Earlier, I worked for almost 7 years as an academic editor in the publishing industry. I completed my M.Phil in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University focusing primarily on South Asian Literature and Culture. I embarked upon my second Post-Graduation learning in Development at Azim Premji University, Bangalore. My recent areas of interest include political ecology of commons, conservation biology, science, society and technology, and law, politics and governance.
My research interest revolves around investigating how the non-implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA) coupled with climate change are responsible for the out-migration of forest-dependent Adivasi fishing communities from Sundarban. In April 2022, I joined the outreach team of the Marine Flagship Programme of Dakshin Foundation. When I get a chance, I travel alone; I love to stay far from the madding crowd. Someday I wish to play the violin.
My research interest revolves around investigating how the non-implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA) coupled with climate change are responsible for the out-migration of forest-dependent Adivasi fishing communities from Sundarban. In April 2022, I joined the outreach team of the Marine Flagship Programme of Dakshin Foundation. When I get a chance, I travel alone; I love to stay far from the madding crowd. Someday I wish to play the violin.
Suneha Jagannathan Reef Log coordinator, 2020 - 2022
I am an independent marine biologist working on citizen science, marine education and habitat restoration. I started my journey into the marine world by volunteering at SSTCN in Chennai, while pursuing my BSc in Zoology from Stella Maris College. After this, I spent six months in 2014 interning at Kartik’s lab at CES, assisting Dr Naveen Namboothri on his postdoctoral project. Following this, I did a master’s on Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems from the Erasmus Mundus program, where I worked on the potential of using perception surveys from divers as a tool for citizen science for my thesis.
At present, I coordinate the Reeflog program at Dakshin Foundation. Reeflog is a citizen science initiative aimed at SCUBA divers, to monitor marine ecosystems in India. Our goal is to use citizen science as a medium to increase ecological and scientific literacy in the tourism sector. I’m a trained classical dancer and a dreadful singer, and love spending my spare time writing, diving, swimming and travelling.
At present, I coordinate the Reeflog program at Dakshin Foundation. Reeflog is a citizen science initiative aimed at SCUBA divers, to monitor marine ecosystems in India. Our goal is to use citizen science as a medium to increase ecological and scientific literacy in the tourism sector. I’m a trained classical dancer and a dreadful singer, and love spending my spare time writing, diving, swimming and travelling.
Mallika Sardeshpande Sea turtle projects coordinator, 2015 - 2016
I worked as the Assistant Coordinator for sea turtle projects and helped with a range of activities including the Turtle Action Group, Sea turtles of India website, Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter and anything else that needed to be done.
I went on to do a Masters in conservation and rural development reporting on use-based conservation of sea turtles in Costa Rica, and a PhD studying urban foraging in South Africa. I am currently a senior research associate on a sustainable and healthy food systems collaboration between India, South Africa, and the UK. Besides the reading, writing, and getting things done, I enjoy outdoor adventure.
I went on to do a Masters in conservation and rural development reporting on use-based conservation of sea turtles in Costa Rica, and a PhD studying urban foraging in South Africa. I am currently a senior research associate on a sustainable and healthy food systems collaboration between India, South Africa, and the UK. Besides the reading, writing, and getting things done, I enjoy outdoor adventure.
Amrita Tripathy Sea turtle projects coordinator, 2011 - 2014
As a Project Coordinator for the Marine Turtle Conservation Act (MTCA) project, my primary role was to administer and coordinate the project at a national level with various stakeholders, financial and programmatic reporting, plan and execute outreach activities through workshops and communication material, and manage the 'Sea Turtles of India' website. I also started the blog 'Talking Turtles' as an outreach initiative during my tenure. Further, I was involved in coordinating the functioning of Turtle Action Group (TAG) - a consortium of 27 NGOs working on turtle conservation. I also worked as Editorial Assistant for the 'Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter'.
I am a communications professional with a creative bent of mind and 10+ years of work experience in communications, branding, social media, and marketing across multiple domains and sectors. Apart from daydreaming, storytelling, and photography, I am interested in pottery and use inspiration from nature as a form of expression with clay. Currently, I reside in the greener part of Bangalore and I am passionate about merging creativity, communication, and conservation.
I am a communications professional with a creative bent of mind and 10+ years of work experience in communications, branding, social media, and marketing across multiple domains and sectors. Apart from daydreaming, storytelling, and photography, I am interested in pottery and use inspiration from nature as a form of expression with clay. Currently, I reside in the greener part of Bangalore and I am passionate about merging creativity, communication, and conservation.
Muralidharan M. Man in charge of things turtle, 2010 - 2022
I have been working on sea turtle populations along the Indian coast since 2009. My research focuses on sea turtles and other marine flagship species such as sea snakes and sharks along the Indian coast and their interactions with fisheries . I work on topics related to population dynamics, genetics, trophic ecology using these varied study systems. My main interests lie in sea turtle biology, marine conservation, fisheries-wildlife interactions and models of community-based conservation.
I am now the field director at Dakshin Foundation, where I carry out most of my conservation and outreach related work. More details can be found here.
I am now the field director at Dakshin Foundation, where I carry out most of my conservation and outreach related work. More details can be found here.
Seema Shenoy Sea turtle projects coordinator, 2009 - 2014
In my time here, I helped coordinate projects that we undertook in collaboration with Dakshin Foundation, ATREE and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. My roles included coordinating a network of community-based sea turtle conservation groups and organizing the international symposium in 2010, and serving as editorial assistant for Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter and copy editor for Conservation and Society. It was a rare privilege to be surrounded by an amazing group of plant- and animal- people and be privy to interesting ideas and projects taking shape (and partake of greasy campus food!).
I now live in Toronto, where I work as grant writer for Toronto Wildlife Centre, and where I am surrounded by a different but equally inspiring set of animals and animal people. When not compiling grant proposals, I like to read and think (and sometimes write) about animal studies, knowledge-making practices in conservation, and political ecology.
I now live in Toronto, where I work as grant writer for Toronto Wildlife Centre, and where I am surrounded by a different but equally inspiring set of animals and animal people. When not compiling grant proposals, I like to read and think (and sometimes write) about animal studies, knowledge-making practices in conservation, and political ecology.
- Prakriti Mukherjee (marine turtle conservation), Project Coordinator, 2017-2019.
- Rutuja Dhamale (marine turtle conservation), Project Coordinator, 2016-2017.
- Smrutica Jeetendranath (marine turtle conservation), Project Coordinator, 2014.
