Our Team

A group of experienced instructors and academics.

ATMEC Instructors

Rahul Mehrotra

Project Manager
Rahul is an accomplished marine biologist and has been a certified Conservation Diver instructor since 2014. He has been active in the field of marine science and conservation in Thailand for over a decade. Rahul's research interests are broad, ranging from coral reef ecology to sea slug taxonony, and he has supervised students from high school to graduate levels. He completed his own PhD at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand and in 2022 he recieved some skeletal upgrades.

Random Fact: Rahul’s affection for muck diving is inversely proportional to that of being called ‘doctor’.

Coline Monchanin

Instructor
Despite being the queen of bees, stats, and heavy metals (alas, not the music), Dr. Monchanin made it clear at the end of her PhD defence in 2021 that she is ready to immerse herself in the world of coral reef biology and ecology. Having started her marine biology career in the Gulf of Thailand several years ago, she has returned for the sequel. She is currently focusing her efforts on coral reef community structures and marine pollution.

Random Fact: It is widely believed that when Coline is exposed to disorganised datasets, her exasperation is seen from space.

Matthias Desmolles

Instructor
Matthias has a diverse array of experience and expertise, ranging from ecological data collection and curation to project management and planning. He is currently also active as a consultant regarding water treatment technologies and filtration. Unsurprisingly therefore he is responsible for management of the wet lab facilities and water quality monitoring at ATMEC, alongside his own projects.

Random Fact: Matthias' most important role is as a calming force on the island, and damage control anytime Rahul sends Coline a new spreadsheet.

Education and Operations

Nancy Gibson

Project Manager
Nancy is the founder of Love Wildlife Foundation through which she has led and participated in numerous international wildlife conservation and rehabilitation initiatives over the years, not to mention over a decade of educational endeavours.
www.lovewildlife.org

Maythira Kasemsant

Operations Manager
Renowned artist and creator behind the popular 'Nature Toon' book series, May is also an amazing coral nerd in her spare time. She manages logistics and accounts alongside her own research interests!

Suphasiri Muttamara (Jam)

Love Wildlife Staff
Jam has an MSc in Environmental Education and a diverse array of past roles as educator of wildlife and conservation at various establishments, including Disney World, Florida.

Extended Team

Patranan Suphangkanan

Logistics Support Staff
Chompoo is the bridge between the island and the outside world, and will help with logistics and other responsibilities as she travels around the Gulf like a nomad.

Amir Patel

Citizen Science Coordinator
After years contributing to the curation and organisation of the Gulf of Thailand sea turtle identification project, Amir is now responsible for management of our sea turtle citizen science projects with ATMEC.

Sirachai Arunrugstichai

Outreach and Conservation
Shin has been active in conservation in Thailand for a number of years. In addition to contributing his photojournalism to National Geographic among others, he also plays an advisory role with ATMEC.

James Eaton

Fieldwork Support Staff
James is an accomplished academic and wildlife tour guide, specialising in avian and terrestrial fauna. He is also an experienced diver, lending his skills to fieldwork with ATMEC.

Former/Visiting Instructors

Alyssa Allchurch

Alyssa was one of the pioneering instructors at ATMEC, joining for the first full semester before continuing on to pursue her MSc in Marine Science back in Canada. Her diving and science experience now extends to warm and cold habitats!

Claudia Marcellucci

Claudia was with us for our very first full year, and was part of the initial survey team before ATMEC was formalised. She was a full-time instructor with us for throughout 2021 before heading back home to Italy.

Thomas Real

Tommy first joined us as an intern, then Instructor Trainee and completed his ATMEC journey as an Instructor and marine biologist in 2022. His nerdy vibes will continue from ATMEC straight to university in Australia.