Indica School of Field Ecology and Conservation - Marine Ecology
Marine Ecology, a 14-day research oriented field course for PhD students and early-career ecologists, offered by Indica School of Field Ecology and Conservation was held in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, Lakshadweep at Kalpeni Island, Lakshadweep from 1st February 2026 to 14th February 2026. The course provided immersive training in marine field ecology across intertidal, lagoon, reef, and open-ocean environments. Participants gained hands-on experience through intertidal walks, lagoon snorkelling and diving, outer-reef dives, and open-ocean surveys. The course covered marine ecology and oceanography, reef and lagoon ecosystems, island formation, functional ecology, blue carbon systems, and marine conservation. Practical sessions introduced fishing techniques, seaweed cultivation, and mangrove and seagrass restoration, while research discussions and study-design sessions helped participants connect field observations with their PhD and research projects.
Participants
Abisha C
×Abisha CKerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kerala
Abisha CKerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, KeralaStudy region: South East and South West coast of India
Keywords: Elasmobranchs, conservation biology, molecular biology, fisheries, stock assessment, microplastic pollution
Abisha is a researcher interested in elasmobranch conservation in India through science and community engagement. She is pursuing a PhD in Fisheries Resource Management at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and works as a Programme Associate at Dakshin Foundation, Bengaluru. Her research focuses on biodiversity monitoring and conservation biology of sharks and rays along the southern Indian coast.
Links: ResearchGate
Deepu Visweswar
×Deepu VisweswarAndhra University, Visakhapatnam
Deepu VisweswarAndhra University, Visakhapatnam Study region: East coast of Andhra Pradesh
Keywords: cnidarians, marine ecology, intertidal area, conservation biology, marine biodiversity, coastal ecology
Deepu Visweswar is a Marine Ecologist and PhD researcher focused on intertidal biodiversity, community ecology, and species interactions in coastal ecosystems. His research explores how environmental gradients and biotic interactions shape marine communities, with a particular interest in understudied marine invertebrates. Alongside research, he is actively involved in conservation initiatives, biodiversity monitoring, and higher education, with the long-term goal of contributing to ecological knowledge, conservation science, and academic mentorship.
Links: ResearchGate
Devesh Kumar Yadav
×Devesh Kumar YadavCentral University of South Bihar
Devesh Kumar YadavCentral University of South BiharStudy region: Hooghly estuary, Bihar
Keywords: aquatic ecology, bioremediation, environmental pollution, energy and environment, microbial ecology
Devesh Kumar Yadav is a research scholar in the Department of Environmental Science at the Central University of South Bihar. He completed his B.Sc. (Hons) from Hansraj College and M.Sc. from the Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi. His research focuses on understanding fungi‑mediated fluxes and their role in the resilience of aquatic ecosystems. He works on translating microbial ecology insights into scalable technologies for pollution mitigation and renewable energy generation by developing integrated microbial consortia for sustainable energy production and industrial effluent treatment.
Links: ResearchGate | ORCID | Google Scholar
Dr. Soniya Jethava
×Dr. Soniya JethavaIndependent researcher
Dr. Soniya JethavaIndependent researcherStudy region: Gujarat coastline, Indian mainland and islands
Keywords: marine ecology, biodiversity, coastal anthropocene activity, habitat preference, invertebrate ecology, wildlife biology
Dr. Soniya B. Jethava is a marine biologist and independent researcher specializing in coastal and intertidal biodiversity, with a strong focus on molluscan ecology and marine conservation. She holds a Ph.D. in Biosciences from Saurashtra University, where her doctoral research examined the diversity, distribution, and ecological status of cerithiid gastropods along the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat. She has been a recipient of the UGC National Fellowship (RGNF) and has research experience as both Junior and Senior Research Fellow. Dr. Jethava has teaching experience at the postgraduate levels and has previously served as a Lecturer in the Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University. Her research integrates field ecology, taxonomy, and ecological assessment, and she has published in reputed national and international journals. She is actively involved in biodiversity conservation initiatives and scientific outreach related to marine and wildlife conservation.
Links: Google Scholar | ResearchGate
G Jayanti Reddy
×G Jayanti ReddyCentral University of Odisha, Koraput
G Jayanti ReddyCentral University of Odisha, KoraputStudy region: East Coast of India and Coastal Wetlands of Odisha
Keywords: blue carbon ecosystems, coastal ecology, salt marsh and seagrass ecology, mangrove conservation
A PhD Scholar in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources at the Central University of Odisha. My research focuses on blue carbon ecosystems, particularly the carbon sequestration potential, photosynthetic traits, and ecological functioning of coastal vegetation such as salt marshes, seagrasses and mangroves along the Odisha coast. I am also working on heavy metal bioaccumulation in estuarine fish species and has qualified UGC-NET multiple times in Environmental Science. My broader interests include coastal ecology, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable coastal management.
Links: ResearchGate
Jerusha Ann Thomas
×Jerusha Ann ThomasICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
Jerusha Ann ThomasICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research InstituteStudy region: Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, East and West Coasts of India
Keywords: Giant trevally, Silver Pompano, fish breeding, genetics, marine finfish, fisheries conservation, aquaculture, sustainable fisheries
Jerusha is a marine biologist and fisheries researcher specializing in marine finfish aquaculture, larviculture, and marine ecology. As an interdisciplinary researcher, she has worked across diverse fields of biology, including biodiversity assessment, genetics, environmental monitoring, marine ecology, and fisheries science. Her work currently focuses on apex predators and commercially important marine fishes, particularly Giant Trevally and Indian Pompano. She is currently pursuing her PhD at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, with a research focus on Giant Trevally. She works on species distribution modelling, fish nutrition, hatchery and larval rearing techniques, and the impacts of climate change variables on marine species and coastal ecosystems.
Links: ResearchGate | ORCID | Google Scholar
Mahima George
×Mahima GeorgeCochin University of Science and Technology
Mahima GeorgeCochin University of Science and TechnologyStudy region: Lakshadweep Islands
Keywords: coral reef ecology, coral reef conservation
Mahima George is a doctoral student at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) working in the field of marine ecology.Her research focuses on the ecology and conservation of coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Islands. She previously worked at the Wildlife Institute of India, where she studied the nesting ecology of olive ridley, green, and hawksbill sea turtles in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Her work contributes to understanding the ecological processes that shape coral reef ecosystems and support their long-term conservation. As an open-water scuba diver, she brings practical underwater field experience to her research and conservation efforts.
Links: ResearchGate | LinkedIn
Mayur Fulmali
×Mayur Fulmali Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
Mayur Fulmali Wildlife Institute of India, DehradunStudy region: Andaman Islands; Central and Great Nicobar Islands; Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Konkan Division; Maharashtra.
Keywords: functional diversity, wetland ecology, mangrove, restoration, benthic ecology, marine biodiversity, disturbance ecology, sea-level change, socioeconomics
Mayur Fulmali is a doctoral student at the Wildlife Institute of India working in the field of marine ecology. His research focuses on fundamental aspects of ecology, integrating field-based observations with trait-based analyses to understand how faunal species respond to environmental change and degradation. He has worked on a variety of marine taxa across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. His current research work contributes towards understanding the ecological implications of mangrove restoration.
Moumita Bhowmik
×Moumita BhowmikCSIR-Central Salt and marine Chemicals Research Institute
Moumita BhowmikCSIR-Central Salt and marine Chemicals Research InstituteStudy region: Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat; Mandapam coast, Tamil Nadu; Thanke creek, Mumbai; Sundarbans, West Bengal
Keywords: polychaete ecology, persistent organic pollutants, coastal resilience, biodegradation, gut microbes
Moumita is currently pursuing PhD at CSIR-CSMCRI, affiliated to Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). Her research focuses on understanding the emergent issue of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and their impact on benthic invertebrates, specifically polychaetes (Polychaeta, Annelida) from the mudflats of Gulf of Khambhat. She is also trying to understand the potential of polychaete gut microbes in the biodegradation of POPs.
Links: ResearchGate | LinkedIn | Google Scholar
R Kaviya Sri
×R Kaviya SriAMET University
R Kaviya SriAMET UniversityStudy region: Adyar Estuary and Kovalam Estuary, Chennai Coast
Keywords: marine bioinvasion, ballast water ecology, coastal ecosystem monitoring, GIS & spatial analysis.
R. Kaviya Sri is a Project Associate under the MOES-DOM project and a research scholar at the Department of Marine Biotechnology, AMET University. Her research focuses on marine bioinvasion, ballast water ecology, plankton dynamics, and coastal ecosystem monitoring. She has experience in field-based ecological surveys, ballast water assessment, water quality monitoring, GIS and spatial analysis, and marine biodiversity studies. Her current work investigates ecological connectivity and bioinvasion signals across the Chennai Coast continuum, contributing to the understanding of coastal ecosystem health and management. She is also a trained SCUBA diver with interests in marine conservation, environmental monitoring,
Links: LinkedIn
Rukmini Shekar
×Rukmini ShekarUniversity of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology
Rukmini ShekarUniversity of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and TechnologyStudy region: Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar, Coringa mangroves, Lakshadweep
Keywords: seagrass, mangrove, dugong, spinner dolphin, conservation, management, ecosystem Services
Rukmini has a Master’s degree in Marine Biology and is passionate about translating science into conservation action. She worked with the dugongs of Tamil Nadu for over five years, leading field operations, conducting marine mammal surveys and necropsies, engaging with coastal communities, and contributing to the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park Management Plan and the establishment of India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve. She went on to work on coral reef and seagrass habitat monitoring in different parts of the Indian coast, and on the ecosystem services of Coringa Mangroves, broadening her understanding of the links between coastal ecosystems, management and policy. Her doctoral research examines spinner dolphins in India's coral atolls and their role in mediating nutrient dynamics within coral reef ecosystems.
Links: ResearchGate | LinkedIn
S Leo Luricson
×S Leo LuricsonThe Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University
S Leo LuricsonThe Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai UniversityStudy region: Palk Bay, and Gulf of Mannar
Keywords: coral reef ecology, marine biodiversity conservation, artificial reef, seaweeds
Leo Luricson is a PhD researcher in Marine Biology at the Centre of Advanced Study (CAS), Annamalai University. His research focuses on coral reef health monitoring, associated marine organisms, and the impacts of natural and anthropogenic activities on marine ecosystems. He is also involved in marine biodiversity conservation through the development and evaluation of artificial reefs. His work aims to enhance the understanding, protection, and sustainable management of marine environments.
Links: ResearchGate | ORCID
Sanket Sunil Kawade
×Sanket Sunil KawadeCollege of Fisheries, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
Sanket Sunil KawadeCollege of Fisheries, Ratnagiri, MaharashtraStudy region: Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
Keywords: mangrove restoration, water quality assessment, plankton
Sanket Sunil Kawade is a researcher in Aquatic Environmental Management with a strong focus on coastal and marine ecosystems. He has completed his post-graduation in Hydrography and qualified the UGC-NET in Environmental Science. Currently pursuing his Ph.D., his research work on mangrove restoration and sustainable coastal management in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. His academic expertise includes mangrove ecology, water quality assessment and plankton diversity. He is committed to promoting environmental awareness and applying scientific knowledge to support sustainable development and conservation of marine resources.
Links: ResearchGate
Shivani Gadhavi
×Shivani GadhaviMaharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar
Shivani GadhaviMaharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, BhavnagarStudy region: Gujarat (Districts: Kachchh, Bhavnagar, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha)
Keywords: marine biology, ornithology, wetlands, ecology, wildlife research, conservation
With a strong academic foundation in Marine Science, she explores the delicate balance between coastal habitats and the species that depend on them. Her doctoral research focuses on the distribution and behavior of herons and egrets (Ardea) in the wetlands of Kachchh, an important semi-arid landscape within the Central Asian Flyway. By studying these birds, she uncovers essential data that supports the long-term conservation of wetlands, waterbirds, and their habitats. Parallel to her studies, she contributed to the Indo-German RECAP4NDC project as a baseline researcher. In this role, she facilitated the enhancement of Gujarat’s regional capacity for climate mitigation by evaluating Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) frameworks, successfully bridging the gap between field-level insights and India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Links: ResearchGate | LinkedIn | ORCID | Google Scholar
Srinidhi Himani C
×Srinidhi Himani CAnnamalai University
Srinidhi Himani CAnnamalai UniversityStudy region: Tamil Nadu, Cuddalore coast, Gulf of Mannar
Keywords: traditional ecological knowledge, coral reef, mesophotic reef ecosystems, reef-associated fish ecology, Intertidal & plankton studies
I'm a marine biologist and science communicator with a never-ending fascination with the oceans. I like working together with coastal communities to study the ecosystems that they depend on. I like to write, communicate science, snorkel and nature-journal. I'm currently working on my PhD research on oyster reef ecosystems and restoration.
Links: ResearchGate | SciComm | Youtube
Lead Instructors
As the founder of multiple research and educational initiatives, his ongoing projects focuses on reef health, climate resilience, and habitat restoration.
Dr. Idrees Babu K.KREEF, Lakshadweep
He primarily focuses on the impacts of climate change, marine heatwaves, and mass coral bleaching events on tropical nearshore marine ecosystems, particularly within the Lakshadweep Archipelago and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Dr. Rohan ArthurNature Conservation Foundation, Bangalore
Instructors
As Secretary and co-founder of REEF, he plays a leading role in promoting coral reef restoration and sustainable marine resource management in the islands.
Dr. Abdul Riyas.CREEF, Lakshadweep
As Chairman and Senior Researcher at REEF he leads initiatives on coral reef restoration, reef health monitoring, seagrass ecosystem studies, and community-based marine conservation.
Dr. B Mohammed NowshadREEF, Lakshadweep
She is an oceanographer and marine mammal researcher specializing in cetacean ecology, bioacoustics, soundscape ecology, and monsoonal influences in the northern Indian Ocean.
Dr. Divya PanickerUniversity of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore
Her work is focused on advancing climate science and fostering public engagement, with a focus on enhancing the health of marine ecosystems.
Dr. Fousiya AAIISER, TVM
Her research interests are centred on the role on how biological interactions play in the functioning of benthic marine systems dominated by primary producers (macroalgae, seagrass meadows and coral).
Dr. Teresa Alcoverro PedrolaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid
He works in the Andaman Islands to understand how island coastlines play an important role in the early life stages of Critically Endangered giant guitarfish (relatives of sharks and rays) and other rays.
Evan NazarethNature Conservation Foundation, Bangalore
This initiative is generously funded by 