Team

For Priya, growing up in Seychelles meant that the natural environment became a defining part of her identity. Her childhood exploration of forests, rivers, mangroves, tidal flats and coral reefs sparked a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. During secondary school, she volunteered with environmental organisations and projects, developing a strong appreciation for conservation. This passion led her to study environmental sciences at the University of Seychelles. Through internships on several of the Inner and Outer islands, she discovered that island conservation combined everything she valued most: scientific research, fieldwork and environmental protection. Working across diverse habitats, from seabird-rich forest to vibrant coral reefs, reinforced her ambition to build a career dedicated to conserving Seychelles’ unique ecosystems. These experiences provided a strong foundation in both terrestrial and marine conservation and deepened her commitment to safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.
In her final year at university, Priya completed an independent research project in collaboration with the D’Arros Research Centre, visiting D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll in 2022 to collect field data. Experiencing these near-pristine ecosystems strengthened her dedication and highlighted the importance of protecting remote island environments. After graduating, she worked with the Island Conservation Society on Farquhar Atoll and the islands of Aride, Silhouette and Desroches, gaining practical experience in monitoring wildlife, managing habitats and controlling invasive species. In early 2024 she joined the OceanX expedition as co-leader of the Shallow BRUVS team, contributing to marine research and data collection across several Outer islands. Most recently, as a coral aquaculture officer with Nature Seychelles, she reared corals using both sexual and asexual propagation techniques, expanding her expertise in marine conservation, restoration and the long-term protection and resilience of Seychelles’ island ecosystems.