Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Over a decade of Zoological & Aquarium experiences and held many leadership roles such as Head of Life Science, Senior Curator, Curator, Education Manager & Dive Instructor in various large scale marine parks around the world. - Experienced in Elasmobranch Breeding that successfully raise over 15 elasmobranch species such as a bowmouth guitarfish, shovelnose rays and many more pelagic and benthic species - Specialised Manta Ray Trainer in positive reinforcement husbandry for reef manta towards Ladle Feeding, Following target, In Water interaction, Dive Interaction as well as Canvas Training and Shipping of large elasmobranch - Certified PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer that teachings and mandate SOPs of teaching aquarium colleagues on dive safety protocols while working with animals, rescue training, EFR and animal rescue drills - Conceptualised and Curated Indonesia largest Marine Park in Bali from designing, acquisition of animals, construction, MMP/hiring, training, SOPs frameworks, budget and many more - Consultant Curator for several aquariums around the world in revamping projects, development acquisition and life sciences husbandry training such as Underwater World Pattaya Thailand as well as Jakarta Aquarium & Safari - Curated Singapore largest coral farm and import export facility in cultured coral & aquatic fishes/invertebrates into a large scale commercial operation in supplying, importing and exporting - Co Founded International Clownfish Competition and standardising clownfish designer standards and scoring, currently still held the position as Deputy Judge that participate & organise Clownfish Competition in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia & China - An Educator on social media in various topics like Public Aquarium Tours with over 4m views highest as well as Ornamental fish and Corals contents & collaboration all over the world with million views in various topics
As manager of education zoological department, I oversee and manage a large team of 50 plus educators in SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi that handles day to day staffing in the park from touch pools, marine mammal habitats as well as various animal encounter programs as well as VIPs tours. Aside from that, my role also includes creating new content and programs throughout the year like Animal Celebration Days, Sleepovers, SeaWorld Camps and many other pop up programs/booth within the park in collab with our Animal Care Team. Lastly with my experiences in leadership role, I also ensure SOPs, internal training planning/program to make sure all our zoo educators is "park ready" for various educational narrations, VIP tours and guest services relations. Creating development plan for career progression within our educators, giving them realistic and strategic KPIs and goals also ensure our educators is consistent and always ready to give our guest the best experiences when they visit our park.
As Marine Life Science Manager, overseeing entire life sciences department consisting of - Curatorial - Dive - Animal Health - Marine Mammal - Education Maintaining good communication among the managers, supervisors and team member, ensuring daily operations runs smoothly, animal welfare, team member welfare, budgeting, external communications between facilities/institutions, creating training SOPs, care manuals, animal encounter programs, forecast planning, masterplan designs, managing accreditation and supporting head office & other business units on strategic planning for revenue growth as well as guest experiences.
As Acting Senior Curator, I oversee the entire departments day to day operations of 5 different teams consisting of Large Exhibit Team, Dry Exhibit Team, Freshwater and Terrestrial Team, Animal Show Team and Dive Team. I also consult and mentor our Sister Facility, Jakarta Aquarium on Animal Care, Husbandry, Management and Mentorship. Currently I manage and mentor new leaders in the department, mentorship programs, manage budget, handles manpower requests and issues, day to day guest relations, creating new programs, new viral content. Animal acquisition and development of current habitats, breeding and educational conservation opportunities between facilities.
As Pre Opening Curator, I successfully conceptualised and build Bali Largest Marine Park. During my time here, I did all the hiring for Curatorial and Dive Team, creating new SOPs, mentoring aquarist and divers while working with contractors on construction of the facility. I successfully open Bali’s Largest Aquarium “Varuna” in end 2023, over 1.3million litres of water, a large aquarium where we house several large elasmobranch including Grey Reef Shark & Bowmouth Guitarfish and many more, over a 1000 individual living in it. Later, i successfully commission two other larger habitats, Shark Tank where we house our Bull Sharks and Ray Bay where our guest can interact with, an aquarium tunnel consist of 10 Smaller Habitats of live Corals & Ornamental fishes. Lastly, I conceptualised and build Bali Largest Freshwater Aquarium over 4m deep and a reptile zone with 12 Habitats and a interaction area accompanied with 4 more Freshwater Aquarium and Terrestrial like Capybara, Avian & Jungle Cats
As Curator, I manage the entire life science department from Curatorial, Animal Health and LSS team. Created new SOPs for the aquarium, hiring of new life science team members, educating and training the team as part of my development acquisition plan to revamp the aquarium. During my time here, I started a newer modern Life Science Department better equipped with knowledge and skills to manage a vast variety of habitats from Coral Habitats, Fish only, Inverts, Elasmobranch and Freshwater Habitat. As part of my refreshment project, I’ve commissioned a new reptile zone in the aquarium to bring more variety into the facility.
Curator in Singapore ornamental import/export facility for Corals and Ornamental Fish Manages a team in creating SOPs for imports, receiving and acclimation techniques on a wide variety of Corals and Fishes. Handles educational talks on sales staff throughout all 5 retail outlets and import/export facility on how to care and sell our livestocks. Also the Product Development Manager in Sales pitch on various large scale suppliers for import/export, large public aquarium build up including shopping malls, restaurants and private houses. Manages and host yearly Aquatic Show in Singapore for 4 consecutive years
Animal Care Specialist oversees all training program for the aquarium specialist and marine mammal specialist also creating SOPs on animal welfare, animal care, animal husbandry as well as animal care manuals for training purposes.
Oversee daily dive duties and dive program. Ensure safety of all our divers and all dive related programs. As a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, I also train team members internally on dive certifications as well as external courses like PADI open water courses
Aquarist In Charge for the aquarium quarantine facility for 2 years, handling all import of ornamental fishes quarantine procedures as well as new born growth. later transferred to Dry Experience Team as one of the team IC handling a team of aquarist operating day to day husbandry operations on 40+ displays.