Sea Turtle Biologist, North Malé Atoll
Philippa Darbyshire-Jenkin was born in the United Kingdom and was raised in Massachusetts, United States, until the age of 15, when she moved to Munich, Germany.
Coming from a family of nature lovers, Philippa always loved to explore and spend time outdoors. After meeting a family friend who taught her how to free dive, she fell in love with the underwater world. So much so, that by the age of 7 she had already decided that she wanted to become a marine biologist. Since then she has spent all her time learning about the world’s marine life and how to conserve it.
After learning to dive at 13 years old in the Cayman Islands, she went on to become a Dive Master. Philippa then pursued a Joint Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology/Zoology from the University of Bangor in Wales. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Marine Conservation from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
After graduation she volunteered for the Manta Trust and worked on the Mexican Caribbean Project on Isla Mujeres, Mexico, helping to collect data on the surrounding population of manta rays.
In 2019 she came to Maldives and worked as the Resident Marine Biologist at resorts such as Kuramathi Maldives, lti Maafushivaru and Niyama Private Islands. Running their marine biology departments, Philippa led all conservation and local research projects and worked with coral restoration, whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles.
Since sea turtles have always held a special place in her heart, Philippa was thrilled to join the Olive Ridley Project in July 2023. As the Sea Turtle Biologist and Guest Educator at One & Only Reethi Rah, Philippa carries out population research at the island and conducts educational outreach for guests and local communities.
