Marine Biology
The ocean has always felt like home to me. Through diving, internships, and research, I’ve had the opportunity to explore this world more deeply and understand the challenges it faces. From studying coral reef ecosystems to interning at marine labs, my passion for marine biology has grown into a commitment to protect and preserve it. This page shares some of my most meaningful experiences, from hands-on conservation work to scientific inquiry, all rooted in a determination to safeguard our oceans for the future.
Conservation In Thailand
I spent this summer plunging into conservation with Coral Tribe on Koh Tao, Thailand, as one of their youngest members and the only high school intern. With two dives a day, I finally put my certifications to work, assisting hands-on with a range of reef restoration and marine ecology projects listed below. This experience strengthened my scientific diving skills and deepened my understanding of ocean conservation, coastal ecosystems, and the urgency of protecting coral reefs. Here are the main intiaves I took part of
1. Coral Watch
While in Thailand, I conducted in-water coral reef monitoring using the Coral Watch method across multiple reef sites. I identified live hard coral colonies, recorded color scores, and observed variation in coral health across different conditions. This experience showed me how simple, standardized field tools can generate meaningful data, especially in regions with limited long-term monitoring.
What is Coral Watch
Coral Watch is a global citizen-science program developed by the University of Queensland that monitors coral reef health using a standardized Coral Health Chart. By matching coral color to the chart, participants can assess bleaching levels and contribute data used to track reef stress and recovery over time.
Through Coral Watch, I contributed to broader efforts to understand coral bleaching patterns and the impacts of climate stress on reef ecosystems.
2. Dive Against Debris
I participated in Dive Against Debris clean-ups, helping remove marine debris both underwater and along shorelines. Through organized dives and beach clean-ups, I collected, sorted, and documented waste to support data-driven efforts addressing marine pollution at its source.
3. Fish & Invertebrate Survey
I participated in fish and invertebrate surveys, identifying and recording reef species to assess biodiversity and ecosystem health. These surveys reinforced how changes in species presence and abundance can serve as key indicators of reef condition and environmental stress.
4. Water Quality Testing
I conducted water quality testing during dives, measuring parameters such as temperature and visibility to assess local reef conditions. These measurements helped link environmental factors to observed patterns in coral health and marine biodiversity.
Research In singapore
This internship at St. John’s Island National Marine Laboratory was my first exposure to real scientific research. Working under Dr. Jani Tanzil, I supported ongoing studies examining how rising sea temperatures and barnacle infestation affect coral health. For the first time, I saw how ecological questions are translated into measurable variables, long-term datasets, and careful analysis.
I assisted with coral monitoring through image and data processing, including counting barnacle settlement and measuring coral surface area to quantify stress and competition on coral colonies. During the initial phase of the study, I worked on-site at St. John’s Island, learning research protocols and the importance of consistency and accuracy in field-based science. I continued contributing remotely after the summer, processing and analysing barnacle data over an extended period.
This experience reshaped how I understood marine science, not as isolated fieldwork, but as an iterative process connecting observation, data, and interpretation. It directly motivated me to pursue independent research in marine conservation and later projects combining field ecology with technology, including my work on AI-based underwater plastic detection.
Diving
I spent this summer plunging into conservation with Coral Tribe on Koh Tao, Thailand, as one of their youngest members and the only high school intern. With two dives a day, I finally put my certifications to work, assisting hands-on with a range of reef restoration and marine ecology projects listed below. This experience strengthened my scientific diving skills and deepened my understanding of ocean conservation, coastal ecosystems, and the urgency of protecting coral reefs. Here are the main intiaves I took part of
Diving has been my gateway into the world of marine biology. Being underwater has deepened my connection to the ocean more than anything else. I’ve been diving since 2023 and have had the opportunity to explore reefs all across Southeast Asian waters, and I hope to see more. It’s something I absolutely love and hope to do much more of in the future. These are the certifications I’ve achieved so far:
Diving
Open Water Diver
PADI certified twice in 2023 and 2024
Advanced Open Water
PADI certified in 2025
Peak Performance Buyancy
SSI certified in 2025
