Our Team Thresher Shark Indonesia is an inclusive space where we recruit talented young individuals who have passion for the environment regardless of their educational background, gender, and social status.

Rafid was previously a member of @indonesianmantaproject, working for manta rays ecology research and conservation in Raja Ampat, West Papua. He is interested in shark and rays conservation, particularly in finding the mutual benefits of conservation and livelihoods. He is also a Fellow at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Sciences (ICCS) at the University of Oxford and a Beahrs ELP Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. Rafid manages and expands Thresher Shark Indonesia, building and maintaining relationships with partners, communities, donors, and other private entities. Rafid graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Coastal Science and Policy. He is pursuing his PhD in Marine Science and Conservation at Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment.

Dewi holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management (M. EnvM) from the University of Queensland, with the support Australia Award Scholarship. Even though her bachelor’s degree was in chemistry, Dewi realized that her passion is for ocean conservation and for the communities that depend on it. In the project, Dewi is responsible to create the socio-economic research protocol and data analysis. She is currently a Sustainability Analyst at the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, working in assisting the local government to develop the sustainability framework and scheme for climate change mitigation

Yodhikson Marvelous Bang (Dicky) completed his Bachelor’s Degree at the Faculty of Public Health, the University of Nusa Cendana, in 2019. During his studies, he was active in organizations related to community empowerment activities. This activity and experience make him happier working in the field. In 2020, Dicky joined the NGO Handicap International & Circle Of Imagine, which handles the Inclusive Economic Development Project for Vulnerable Groups. In this project, he was a facilitator in one of the villages to assist vulnerable groups, from data collection to raising awareness to identify their leadership potential. At Thresher Shark Indonesia, Dicky is working as Project Officer, preparing correspondence, financial reports, as well as participating in monitoring and evaluation for our community development projects.

Vivekananda Gitandjali TD earned her bachelor’s degree in Indonesia Language and Literature Program from Universitas Gadjah Mada. She is a book enthusiast and diving maniac. She received a scholarship for Divemaster from Padi Women’s Day Program. Even though her bachelor’s degree is in language and literature, Kana believes that conservation is a lifestyle that needs to be done daily for a sustainable life, not only protecting species.

Igo Arianto (Igo) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Civil Engineering from Kupang State Polytechnic Campus. He has a passion for social relations and community development. Previously, Igo worked as a technical facilitator in a community-based drinking water supply and sanitation program. He was involved in the overall planning, implementation, and supervision of the project led by the communities themselves.

Badra Jultouriq Rahman has recently completed his study at Padjadajran University, earning his degree in Bachelor of International Relations (IR). Badra has experience with Thresher Shark Indonesia in creating a program that supports the transition of Alor shark fishers in Lewalu Village, by building a thresher shark education center, developing food products made from tuna, and making thresher shark patterns for the woven fabric as one of the branding steps for Lewalu Village as a “Thresher Shark” village. This experience has made him interested in conservation life.

Laraswati Clarita Ola (Laras) completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the Urban and Regional Planning Program, Malang National Institute of Technology, in 2019. She started her career as a Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation (WSES) Facilitator at the Planning, Development, and Research Agency (BAPPELITBANG) of Alor Regency. During her job, Laras was responsible for the data collection on water supply and environmental sanitation and collaboration with the local government to monitor and advocate for a healthy lifestyle in the Kabola District community. With her experience, Laras decided to continue her career at Thresher Shark Indonesia.

Rasni Amahala (Rasni) completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting at Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa University in 2022. She started her career as an Accounting and Reporting staff at the Regional Finance and Asset Management Agency of Alor Regency. During her job, Rasni was responsible for examining and recording Disbursement Orders and was also assigned to upload Deposit Certificates. With her experience, Rasni decided to continue her career at Thresher Shark Indonesia.

Primiaty Natalia Sabu Kopong (Asty) is passionate about working alongside local and remote communities. She is interested in community empowerment, social-political development, policy intervention, social impact assessment, and Monitoring & Evaluation. She worked as a community development officer before completing her Master’s degree in Master of Development Practice, The University of Queensland with Australia Awards Scholarships.

Edy Topan (Edy) is a native of Gorang of East Flores regency. He pursued a Diploma in State Polytechnic of Agriculty at Kupang, with a degree in Fisheries. Edy was born and raised within a coastal community deeply connected with the ocean, and his passion led him to a strong interest in marine conservation.

Itsar completed his undergraduate study in Marine Science at IPB University, focusing on Marine Biology. He is a certified diver and outdoor enthusiast. The time he spent diving Indonesia’s coral reefs has solidified marine conservation as his calling. His mission is to understand more about the ocean, its biodiversity, and the ways to protect them.

Samsul Basrun, or ‘Ancul’, is a Banda Islands residence who received higher seafaring education from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran (STIP) Jakarta. He received dive training in Bali, which enabled him to work in a dive centre in Banda Neira and gave him extensive knowledge of his home region. He loves learning new things and hopes to do more than just work but connect with his community on Rhun Island. Ancul joined Thresher Shark Indonesia as a Fisheries Enumerator in The Banda Project and is responsible for collecting thresher shark fisheries data in the area, as well as engaging with local stakeholders for thresher shark conservation.

Ahmad Hilmy Mubarak has a great interest in graphic design and illustration. He passed the certificate program as a motion graphic designer and a low-poly modeler from Bekraf RI. He has experience as a children’s book illustrator with the Thresher Shark Indonesia, which introduced him to marine conservation. In present, he will continue his passion by focusing on a digital campaign to promote various conservation projects in Indonesia. His invaluable design and creative skills have provided an opportunity for Thresher Shark Indonesia to develop more engaging, inclusive, and fresh conservation messages that could be delivered through a broad array of media.

Etoile was initially exposed to Indonesia’s unique role in the global shark crisis during her years living on a boat and sailing throughout Indonesia. She is heavily involved with shark conservation work within Indonesia and China. Her work focuses on mapping the ever-evolving shark fin trade whilst identifying locations where loopholes in policy are being exploited and working towards developing effective management plans that benefit both the livelihoods of communities as well as sharks. She is currently busy finishing her Marine Biology degree at the University of Auckland and will go forth to continue onto a Masters in Marine Conservation.

Balqie is an experienced wildlife filmmaker and big cat (behavior) researcher in the NGO world. Balqie regularly campaigns for the survival of orangutans in Indonesia. His hobby is genetics, supported by his specific interest in Eastern Indonesia and Eastern Europe has led him into the exciting world of conservation. Balqie has been lurking in Thresher Shark Indonesia since 2018. He is curious and passionate about shark conservation and marine preservation. This guy begins to explore the jungle at the age of 10, and now he has explored many jungles during his career. Finally, this year, he got the chance to join Thresher Shark Indonesia, an ultra-big jump from the large mammals in the jungle to the Thresher Shark in the ocean. Balqie will work with the Communications Team to support the branding and content creation of Thresher Shark Indonesia.

Dr. Mark Erdmann is the Vice President of Conservation International’s Asia-Pacific marine programs, tasked with providing strategic guidance and technical and fundraising support to focal marine programs in Conservation International’s Asia Pacific Field Division, including especially the Bird’s Head Seascape and Pacific Oceanscape initiatives, as well as marine programs in China, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Samoa and the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI). Dr. Mark Erdmann’s work largely focuses on the management of marine protected areas, as well as research on reef fish and mantis shrimp biodiversity, satellite tracking of endangered sharks and rays, and genetic connectivity in MPA networks.

Jeheskiel Alopen previously worked in the humanitarian organization, World Vision Indonesia (WVI) as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. He then also worked as Field Staff for several projects focused on community development around the East Nusa Tenggara region. He finished his study as a Bachelor of Public Health, but he found his passion in community development when working together with WVI. At Thresher Shark Indonesia, he was in charge of the Community Development Staff; executing empowerment programs such as sustainable fisheries training, facilitating meetings, and maintaining relations between District, Village Governments, and village communities.

Agustin earned her MSc in Marine Resources and Ecology from Wageningen University, Netherlands. She received a StuNed scholarship and also the National Geographic Young Explorers. Agustin’s previous research was focused on salt lake jellyfish in Raja Ampat, West Papua and ecological research of the marine ecosystem which involves the work with coastal communities. In the project, Agustin was responsible to design the ecology and fisheries research protocol and data analysis. Agustin was also featured on the BBC series ‘Equator from the Air’ during her research on salt lake jellyfish and to discover a new unique salt lake ecosystem in Indonesia.

Eka Maya Kurniasih is a geneticist and earned a Master’s Degree in Marine Science at Diponegoro University. She is also an active researcher at Biodiversitas Indonesia (@bionesia_id) working for the genetic diversity of marine species for conservation purposes. Eka was previously a Smithsonian fellow and working for genetic invertebrates diversity from the dead coral heads, using next-generation sequencing techniques. In the project, Eka was responsible for creating public outreach and educational activities.

Gisela is an Australia Awards alumna who holds a master’s degree in Environmental Management (MEnvMan) from The University of Queensland, Australia. Gisela was responsible to undertake community outreach including facilitating community engagement and empowering the community’s participation through the workshop, university student’s training, youth community meeting, also engaging local government, NGOs, local entities in the thresher shark conservation project. She has also taken a role as a training and networking coordinator for the Thresher Shark Conservation Champion Program. She is currently working as a researcher at the Institute of Resource Governance and Social Change (IRGSC), a think tank and a partner of UN agencies and INGOs in Eastern Indonesia.

Vetthy graduated from Padjajaran University with a major in fisheries. She has great interests in conservation issues with an emphasis is socio-economy. Vetthy researched the socio-economic impact on the establishment of the conservation area that was designated from a green sea turtle. At present, Vetthy focuses on digital campaigns to promote various conservation projects in Indonesia.

Deborah earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from BINUS University. She was participating in Wikipedia Writing Competition when she was in the university, which then took more of her concern in environmental issues, especially in marine life. In one of her volunteer projects, she was getting to know more about the fishermen’s life in her hometown and how they do the fishing process.

Ichsan currently working as Sustainable Fisheries Coordinator at USAID SEA Project and Project Leader in Thresher Shark Fisheries Conservation Project in Aceh funded by ZSL EDGE Fellowship Programme. He got his Master of Conservation Biology from the University of Queensland Australia funded by LPDP and Bachelor of Marine Science from Universitas Padjadjaran. He has several years of experience working and volunteering with NGOs such as Wildlife Conservation Society and MantaWatch. Ichsan started his career as a divemaster in Sharkdiving Indonesia – Morotai and help establish marine tourism in the region. He has the experience to lead a conservation organization, design and implement programs for students, researchers and coastal communities. He is also experienced in fisheries data management, particularly for sharks and rays in Indonesia.

Bani earned his master’s degree in Environmental Management and Development (M.EnvMgtDev) from the Australian National University with Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) scholarship. In the project, Bani has volunteered to gather the socio-economic data, transcription analysis, as well as photographer. He believes that conservation and economic development could work hand in hand for the better of humanity and nature itself if there is a conversation between them. Conservation is a conversation.

Putri is a Divemaster and Scientific Diver with a passion for marine conservation. She currently works as the Program Coordinator and Community Outreach Officer for Indo Ocean Project in Nusa Penida. Putri mentors the Divemaster Interns and coordinates the citizen science side of the project as well as community outreach programs. She also translated the documentaries “Racing Extinction” and “Provinsi Konservasi”, which broadened her understanding of the issues, challenges, and objectives for marine conservation. Putri has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology and Theater from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She experiments with underwater photography and videography, capturing her dives and the creatures she discovers. Putri loves everything underwater and her life mission is to help protect the ocean!

Abner Yosua Wijaya, or called Abner was born in Surabaya, March 25th, 2002. He has a passion for shark science and the drive to conserve them through his drawings. From his passion, he is intrigued to become a conservationist, especially in protecting sharks. He just graduated from SMA Negeri 2 Kota Mojokerto, majoring in science studies. Abner wants to continue to study at Universitas Gadjah Mada, majoring in tourism. His goal is to conserve sharks through tourism in the future. In the past, Abner’s drawing of “White Shark Cafe” has been featured by (@MontereyBayAquarium). We are extremely proud of this young, passionate shark artist (as he preferred to be called) for being part of @threshershark.id and bringing more colours to the project!

Gerry earned his Bachelor of Law in Yogyakarta in 2015. Later in 2016, he joined the Indonesian Red Cross and has been actively involved in the humanitarian causes in Alor District. From 2016 to 2019 he was also involved in Masyarakat Aman dan Tangguh (MaTa) – a community development program that focuses on increasing community resilience and safety collaborated with the Indonesian and Australian Red Cross. Gerry is interested in community empowerment. Presently, he’s serving as the leader in the Youth Religious Group in his local church. At Thresher Shark Indonesia, Gerry facilitated the Thresher Shark Conservation Champion, ensuring the field logistics as well as monitoring youth groups in the implementation of the conservation projects.

Bestari has a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering from the National Taipei University of Technology. After six years of studying and working in Taiwan as a Material Engineer, she decided to undergo a career change and follow her passion for diving. She returned to Indonesia to complete her Divemaster and Scientific Diver training with Indo Ocean Project, where she fell in love with the conservation world. Her passion for the ocean makes her want to help protect marine life and inspire others to live sustainably. She manages the project activities, deliverables, financials, and grants, as well as develops and leads the Conservation Experience program at Thresher Shark Indonesia.

Cahyani Fortunitawanli has recently completed her study in IPB University’s Veterinary Professional Education Program, earning her a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. She has special interests in fish medicine and the conservation of aquatic wildlife. She believes that research and collaboration hold the key towards sustainable conservation. Cahyani had previously served as the Public Relations Coordinator at the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA)’s Global board, where she was entrusted with managing public communication.

Jihan has experience creating content for NGOs, start-up businesses, youth communities, and other settings to increase public awareness and inspire action. Her tenderness of creative communication makes it fun for her to explore various topics and get involved in the movement for better changes and outcomes, including in the nature and conservation areas, where she has a particular interest in those issues. At Thresher Shark Indonesia, she participates to supports communication teams in providing content material for media coverage.