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Meet The Team
Khmer Ocean Life wouldn't be the same without our amazing team working towards safeguarding Cambodia's marine life for the future.
It is great to meet you, and please feel free to reach out to us!
CO-FOUNDER AND executive DIRECTOR
Rose Ellis arnett
Rose is our on-the-ground project team leader at Khmer Ocean Life. She has a deep love of the ocean and enjoys working closely with the whole team, local communities and collaborators to make everything happen.
Rose has a BSc in Physical Geography from King's College London and extensive experience working on various research and conservation projects across the world, including elephant seals, orcas and bottlenose dolphins. Rose has a particular passion for community conservation, working to safeguard a future for wildlife and local people.
CO-FOUNDER AND Non Executive DIRECTOR
SARAh tubbs
Sarah is an interdisciplinary marine mammal scientist passionate about combining natural and social science techniques to fill knowledge gaps on endangered marine mammals. Sarah has a BSc in Marine Biology from Newcastle University, an MSc in Marine Mammal Science from the University of St Andrews and is currently completing her PhD on Cambodian cetaceans at Newcastle University. She has extensive amounts of research and fieldwork experience across Africa, Asia and Europe, with her focus on supporting research and conservation initiatives in developing countries.
Bycatch and stranding project officer
Chhayhy heng
Chhayhy focuses on KOL's bycatch and stranding projects: the Cambodian Marine Mammal Bycatch and Stranding Network (CMMBSN); Bycatch Mitigation Action Plan; and the pinger pilot study in Kep.
He obtained a degree from Paññāsāstra University in Cambodia in Environmental Science, where he did his thesis on Cambodian dugongs. Chhayhy then went on to join marine mammal projects in both Cambodia and at the Sarasota Dolphin Project, Florida, USA. His love of the ocean drives his work, particularly the allusive but majestic dugong.
ecotourism and outreach Project Assistant
sreyleap chin
Sreyleap is a graduate in Tourism from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. She brings a strong background in guiding and a deep passion for the environment, especially Cambodia’s rich marine life. With previous experience as a tour guide in Kampot and fluency in Khmer, Chinese, and English, she’s always eager to expand her knowledge in marine conservation and contribute to our mission of protecting the ocean. She works on KOL's Swim Like a Dolphin and Kampot Dolphin Ecotours projects.
Ecotourism Center Manager
sovanvachank
Vachanak is a Visitor Center Assistant at KOL who enjoys connecting visitors with the local community and the surrounding marine environment. He supports guests by sharing information about marine life, conservation efforts, and community initiatives linked to KOL’s work. With a warm and welcoming approach, he is passionate about helping visitors better understand and appreciate both the people and the ocean that make this place special.
Visitor center opening soon!
research assistant
Soem liN
Lin is a Project Assistant at Khmer Ocean Life (KOL). She is a graduate of the National University of Phnom Penh, Department of Environmental Science. Her undergraduate thesis, which focused on “Assessment mangrove tree survival rates,” ignited a strong passion for marine biodiversity and coastal conservation. She is motivated to contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems and to support sustainable conservation efforts that benefit both nature and local communities.
Intern coordinator
Kaci kruglewicz
Kaci is serving as the KOL intern coordinator, running KOL's internship programme, recruiting, training and coordinating internship activities such as fieldwork, outreach, clean-ups, community work and more.
She obtained a BSc in Aquatic and Marine Biology from Stetson University in Florida, USA. Her main scientific pursuits revolve around marine mammals, with experience in sea lion rehabilitation and cetacean research in Peru and Portugal. She is an adventurer at heart and really loves her work in Cambodia; exploring the links between science, community, and conservation.
master's student
Sam haslam
Sam is currently part of our team as a placement student from the University of The West of England, doing an MSc in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science. His thesis focuses on Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear in Kampot, Cambodia, following on from KOL's ghost net recovery project.
He has spent many years living in Southeast Asia and Cambodia and loves everything about the people and culture here. Sam wants to continue working on and planning long-term conservation projects here in Cambodia after his graduation.
financial advisor
josh arnett
Josh is an ACA chartered accountant with an economics degree and a love of wildlife. He had extensive experience in auditing, financial reporting and forecasting. Josh helps with all things money for Khmer Ocean Life and in his spare time enjoys golf, cricket and football.
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