Meet the Indian Seabird Group core team

Anant Pande

I am leading the team of the Indian Seabird Group with an aim of improving coordination between seabird researchers working in India and abroad.

I work as a Project Scientist at Wildlife Institute of India. My doctoral research focused on understanding the nesting ecology and population genetics of snow petrel, a climate-dependent Antarctic seabird, in east Antarctica. I am also co-supervising the Antarctic Wildlife Monitoring Program of the Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica.

Sabiya Sheikh

I co-founded the Indian Seabird Group to help connect seabird researchers with ecology graduates interested in seabird work.

I am an independent researcher based in India. Since completing my MSc in Wild Animal Biology in 2019, I have continuously engaged in projects to monitor populations, habitats and diets of top marine predators. I currently work as a Puffineer with the RSPB on Project Puffin UK to analyse a citizen science photo dataset to monitor the diet of puffins across the UK.

Ravichandra Mondreti

I am part of the Indian Seabird Group team, helping in the setup and organisation.

I am currently an independent researcher with an interest in marine ecology and conservation biology. Previously I was with the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, MOEF & CC, India. I have a fond interest in seabirds and pursued a PhD in seabird ecology in Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep, with a focus on Sooty Terns in Pitti Island, Lakshadweep, India. I am an active member of several seabird groups, including the World Seabird Union, Seabird Group UK and Pacific Seabird Group.

Sohini Dudhat

I am working within the Indian Seabird Group to connect with researchers and students and gain insights on the current research and updates.

I obtained my Masters in Marine Biology from Pondicherry University, India in 2017. For the past three years I was working in a project aimed at conserving Dugongs in India with Wildlife Institute of India. An avid bird watcher since a young age, I aspire to study the seabirds along Indian coast in future.

Deven Mehta

I have joined the Indian Seabird Group team because of a keen interest in seabird ecology and connecting with researchers in India and abroad.

I am a researcher based in India with a Master's degree in Zoology, specialising in Avian and Wildlife Biology, from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. I have monitored birds and mammals in India's north-eastern and western states while working as a Researcher at Wildlife Institute of India on various conservation projects. I'm a member of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, USA, and a founding member of an NGO, 'Kshitij Foundation', based in Gujarat.