Qualifications:

• MSc. Zoology, St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru (2025). 
• BSc. PBZ (Psychology, Botany, and Zoology), Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women, Autonomous, Bengaluru (2023)

Email: sthuthi@dakshin.org

Profile: Sthuthi has always been fascinated by the question of why living organisms behave the way they do. Rather than simply observing actions, she is interested in uncovering the biological and environmental drivers behind behaviours and habits. This curiosity led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Zoology, and Psychology, where she explored behaviour from multiple perspectives. She later specialised in Zoology for her Master’s, focusing her dissertation on cannibalistic behaviour in Acraea terpsicore (Tawny Coster) caterpillars to understand the ecological triggers and adaptive significance of this behaviour.

Her interests have since expanded beyond individual organisms to the interactions between people, ecosystems, and livelihoods. In her current role, Sthuthi works at the intersection of coastal communities and reduction fisheries, gaining first-hand insights into how fisheries support livelihoods while influencing marine resource use. This perspective has strengthened her interest in understanding the social, ecological, and nutritional dimensions of fisheries, particularly how changes in marine resource utilisation affect both ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. She hopes to continue exploring conservation through an interdisciplinary lens that combines behavioural ecology, community engagement, and sustainable resource management.