Piers Baillie Founder.

Piers is a qualified marine biologist from the University of Plymouth (UK). He has established a number of research, monitoring and marine conservation programs in the Gulf of Thailand, working closely with the Thai Department of Marine & Coastal Resources, as well as international post-doctorate researchers, schools and universities.

Having gained significant experience working in the tropics, Piers has developed a marine ecology and conservation program that is taught to students of all ages from around the world. He has also developed unique internships that provide a platform for individuals to engage in active marine conservation projects, giving them the knowledge, skills and opportunity to gain experience working in the underwater world.

Piers is a published author, and his textbook 'An Introduction to Corals and The Reefs They Form' is available in paperback from Amazon. He has a keen interest in educating our next generation, and has designed a program of workshops, lectures, tutorials and interactive sessions which are adapted to suit students between Reception and Year 13.


As an award winning, and featured underwater photographer, Piers is able to bring personal experiences and real-life examples into both his teaching and training programs, offering a unique insight into the field of marine conservation.

To visit Piers' photography portfolio, click here

Gavin Miller Scientific Diving Program Director, Researcher.

Gavin completed his MSc masters degree in Marine Environmental Management from the University of Exeter, where he researched whether evocative images of charismatic marine wildlife could increase individual awareness, concern, and behaviour towards plastic pollution. Having also completed a degree in Psychology, Gavin aims to combine both biological and social aspects as he pursues his career in marine conservation. His research interests also include furthering our ecological understanding of key reef-associated indicator species, as well as the development of effective local management strategies. Gavin is currently co-authoring a research paper on the relative impacts of corallivory to reefs within the Gulf of Thailand.

Getsamol Chaona (Pooka) Project Manager, Field technician, Department of Marine & Coastal Resources (DMCR) associate.

Pooka has gained significant experience working in the field of reef restoration, often representing the Department of Marine & Coastal Resources (DMCR). She has helped to develop training programs for the DMCR, and has been instrumental in the establishment of an island-wide restoration project in Koh Tao, Thailand. Pooka fulfills an invaluable role in many of Global Reef's active research and conservation projects, and is key to the communication of the organisation's work in Thailand.

Scarlett Taylor Assistant program manager, Researcher.

Scarlett Taylor is a marine biologist with a Master’s degree in Biology from Dalhousie University, where she researched the population dynamics of basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) in Atlantic Canada. Her research interests focus on the movement ecology and conservation of sharks and rays, as well as the protection of critical marine habitats. Scarlett has worked globally on a variety of projects, including acoustic tagging of blue sharks in the Northwest Atlantic, studying the movement ecology and telemetry of reef and oceanic manta rays in rural Mozambique with Marine Action Research (MAR) Expeditions, and contributing to devil ray conservation with the Manta Trust in Malaysia.

Currently, Scarlett is a researcher with Global Reef in Thailand, contributing to marine conservation in the Gulf of Thailand. She also helps with the Maya Bay Blacktip Reef Shark Project with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources of Thailand, using innovative technology to study shark abundance and help establish protected areas for neonate and juvenile blacktip reef sharks.

Preeti Tak Social media manager.

Preeti holds a first-class BA in Fine Art from London Metropolitan University, focusing on participatory installations that communicate scientific findings. She believes effective communication strengthens conservation by making research accessible. She has since built a digital marketing career, working with an international PhD network, a YouTuber, and creating content for a UN convention.

Building on her love for environmental sciences, Preeti earned an MSc in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology, and Restoration at University College London (UCL) to pursue a career in aquatic species research and habitat restoration. She joined Global Reef as an intern to gain applicable research skills and is now our social media manager.

Doris Aschauer Statistician/Data analyst.

Doris is Global Reef’s expert for study design, data management, and statistical analysis. She plays a key role in planning and carrying out research that drives the organisation’s marine conservation efforts. By turning data from reef restoration and ecological monitoring projects into meaningful insights, she helps develop evidence-based strategies to protect and restore coral reefs.


With a background in neuroscience and data science, Doris has worked on a variety of research projects spanning fields such as neuroscience, education, clinical research, and diving medicine. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Marine Science to deepen her knowledge of the ocean and its ecosystems. 


Doris is trained in hyperbaric medicine and works at the local hyperbaric chamber. Her expertise in diving medicine ensures the safety of Global Reef's diving operations. As a diving instructor, Doris brings a personal passion and understanding of marine environments which ensures that the chosen research methods are appropriate for both the divers’ capabilities and the environment they are studying.