Research, Adventure, and Turtle Conservation

About me

Ever since childhood, nature has called to me to its mysteries, wonders, and wild inhabitants. I am Abhishek Thawait, a field-oriented wildlife ecologist with a BS-MS Dual Degree in Biology from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, India and MS thesis from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, India . Specialising in sea turtle conservation, movement ecology, and ecotoxicology, my journey blends rigorous scientific research with deep respect for marine life. I seek to turn research into action using data and storytelling to advance conservation for our ocean's ancient navigators and other marine life.

Professional Highlights

• Integrated BS-MS in Life Sciences

• 2 years field experience a sea turtle mass nesting site in India

• Presenter: International Sea Turtle Symposium, Accra, Ghana

• MS Thesis: Microplastic and heavy metal bioaccumulation, 90+ necropsies, use of Raman spectroscopy and ICP-MS

Turtle Research

• Understanding the movements and nesting beach dynamics of olive ridley sea turtles along the Odisha coast - Wildlife Institute of India

• Assessing plastic ingestion & heavy metal contamination in olive ridley turtles (Rushikulya and Devi Beaches, Odisha) - MS Thesis, IISC Bangalore

• Diet composition of olive ridley turtle from mass nesting site in Odisha, India

• Sex ratio determination in hatchlings - Dakshin Foundation and IISC Bangalore

Key Skills:

• Necropsy, telemetry, sample collection, field data management, wet lab

• Data analysis, report writing, scientific communication