Sohini is studying the factors that may influence marine megafauna strandings along the Oman coastline for her PhD. She has previously worked on seagrasses and dugongs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and later, on coral reefs and associated fish fauna in Malvan, Maharashtra with Wildlife Institute of India. We spoke with her about her work, her learning experiences, her plans going forward and more.

What sparked your interest in marine biology?

I grew up in a nature-loving family, where bird watching, hiking and nature trails were a frequent occurrence. It was only natural that I was steered towards ecology as a career, and my family has always been supportive of my passion. During my undergrad, I volunteered for different research projects to find my inclination. I worked on wildflowers of the Kaas plateau, observed bird behavior on indigenous tree species in and around my city Pune and volunteered for dolphin surveys off the west coast of India. I loved the ocean and the thought of studying marine animals for a living fascinated me. I enrolled for a Masters in Marine Biology, and the best part of it was that my campus was in Andaman and Nicobar Islands! I was in a pristine island ecosystem and got to see everything I studied during intertidal walks, snorkelling and diving sessions. I worked on coastal ecosystems like seagrasses and coral reefs and studied the associated species like dugongs and fish fauna in the islands and on the west coast of India for a few years, until I decided to continue work on marine megafauna and got a PhD position at the University of St Andrews.

How has the study experience at St. Andrews been? How has it impacted you?

The University of St Andrews is very well known for its work on ocean studies and lives up to its expectations. I dreamed of studying here since I decided to pursue marine biology, and I finally got here for my PhD. Based right next to a beach where you can often see dolphins, the Scottish Oceans Institute was a dream come true. It is a wonderful community of researchers eager to collaborate and help out with your research. Being here has been an amazing learning experience professionally, and the interactions with the international community have also widened my perspective. The things I look most forward to, on a daily basis, are interacting with researchers from different corners of the world and our quest to understand the Scottish accent and weather!

Professionally, I feel I have grown because of the support system I have here my supervisors and collaborators from Oman, my current study site. A lot of importance is given to well-being and ensuring you have what you need to reach your goal. I have realised the importance of work-life balance, which is a part of the work culture here.

What are the challenges and the biggest learnings on your professional journey so far?

I think a career in the field of ecology and conservation, may it be terrestrial or marine, thrives on self-motivation, hope and patience. The amount of hard work you put in may take years to show a result or outcome, and while that is happening, you need to deal with challenges due to rough terrains and weather changes, isolation at a field site, time required to get funds and permissions to carry out research and maybe less pay than your industry-based peers. Being hopeful, every day, that the species you are studying will survive and not crumble under the ever-increasing pressure is difficult. Apart from the physical fitness required for working in difficult terrains and lugging equipment, this field of study requires you to be mentally strong.

Having said that, if I were to do it all over again, I would choose this field of study without a minute's hesitation because of the life and experiences it has offered me. I have learned to celebrate small successes and appreciate the peaceful life when I am in a tiny fishing hamlet or an island, listening to the stories of fishermen and spending endless hours on boats and underwater, or even sitting at my desk making a map to aid a marine protected area. I think these experiences are priceless and have changed the concept of ‘success’ for me.

I have lived quite a nomadic life since leaving my home 10 years ago to pursue my Masters and later my work. I moved between places- field sites and cities, and now countries, quite frequently, with my entire life packed in a rucksack. I have realized that any place is as good as the people you meet there, no matter how beautiful it is. Having an excellent support system, both personally and professionally, can make or break the entire experience.

What next? What area of marine biology would you like to explore after completing your PhD?

I am currently halfway through my PhD, and my work is at intersection between marine mammal and turtle ecology, oceanography and fisheries. The methods that I am using for my PhD work could find applications in the wider Arabian Sea- Indian Ocean region and contribute to the ongoing research on marine megafauna conservation in the region.

Although marine mammals or turtles are my current species of interest, I am inclined towards developing methods to conserve a habitat or doing research centered around a question or issue- such as anthropogenic threats. After my PhD, I will be focusing on steering my work in that direction.