Research Interests
Meet Aulia, an ITB oceanography graduate of 2013 who initially aspired to be a veterinarian due to her love for animals, especially mantas. Despite shifting from veterinary science to oceanography, Aulia aimed to deepen her understanding of marine life. Her journey led her to join us as an intern during 2021-2022, where she took a keen interest in our turtle project. Her academic pursuit continued in Australia at the University of Queensland, supported by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education, culminating in a Master of Conservation Biology.
Aulia brings a strong background in ecological fieldwork, wildlife census, spatial analysis using geographic information systems (GIS), experimental design, statistical analysis, and scientific communication. Fluent in both English and Indonesian, she is also a certified PADI Divemaster. Besides her studies, Aulia contributed to coral reef restoration with the Coral Catch program in Gili Air.
As an MMF Project Scientist, Aulia led the Indonesia Sea Turtle Project from Nusa Lembongan, collaborating with local organizations and collecting sea turtle data, and occasionally supported the Indonesia Manta Ray Project. She continues to work with the sea turtle project as a Research Associate. The team has now identified 374 turtles at Nusa Penida and East Bali, 308 in Komodo National Park, and 344 in the Derawan Islands. Each turtle is recognized from the unique pattern of scales on its face, so no handling or tagging is required.
Education
2023 Master of Conservation Biology
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
2018 Bachelor of Science in Oceanography
Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia
Thesis title: Investigating Coral Reef Loss and its Causes Around Panggang Island, Kepulauan Seribu, DKI Jakarta
Biography
Aulia, born in Leeds, United Kingdom, grew up in a family that cherished their travel adventures, especially those involving beach visits and snorkeling excursions. This love for the ocean was further nurtured when she joined a swimming club at just five years old, laying the foundation for her lifelong passion for water. Aulia’s dream initially was to become a veterinarian focused on marine wildlife, but as she delved into the world of oceanography for her bachelor, her aspirations shifted towards marine conservation and biology.
After graduating, Aulia faced the common challenge of finding work in her field of passion, leading her to a position as a product manager in an IT company. This year-and-a-half period was a detour on her path but also a time of growth and learning. Her dedication to marine conservation remained unwavering, and in 2021, she seized an opportunity to intern with MMF, a step that significantly aligned with her aspirations.
Following her heart, Aulia then participated in a coral restoration internship with Coral Catch in Gili Air, further enriching her experience in the field. In 2022, she was fortunate to receive a Master’s scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education, enabling her to pursue a Master of Conservation Biology at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Her journey is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to marine conservation, reflecting a humble yet passionate pursuit of her dreams.
After finishing her Master’s, Aulia was invited to return to MMF as the Turtle Project Leader, eager to apply her advanced knowledge and skills. As a PADI Divemaster, she combines her professional capabilities with her love for scuba diving, an activity that brings her immense joy alongside her hobbies of watching sunsets, occasionally catching the sunrise, and solving puzzles.
Current research
Team member
