Meet the Team
Meet the team of Scuba Junkie SEAS! All the Scuba Junkie SEAS staff are working as volunteers and do so because of their love of the ocean, the world we live in and because we see the need for action to be taken. So we all juggle two roles whether it's being the CEOs or managers of our various offices or resorts. While this can be a little tricky at times we do this so that 100% of the donations and money SEAS generates goes back into the charity to be used for worthwhile causes like our hatchery, supplies for our beach and reef cleans or our coral gardening.
Ali Hochstetter
After completing her PADI Open water course at the age of 14, Ali developed a passion for marine life. She later took a gap year & completed her divemaster course in Sabah, which led her to fall in love with the region. Ali went on to graduate from the University of Plymouth with a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology. Since then she has spent the last 15 years working for SJ and volunteering with SJ SEAS since its founding in 2011, completing her reef check certification, numerous under water surveys and outreach programmes and is now our go-to person in Kota Kinabalu for SJ SEAS.
Jason Flynn
Jason has been with the Scuba Junkie Kota Kinabalu team for over 5 years. He began diving when he was 23 years old and went on to become an instructor after catching the diving bug with his first underwater breath. He is passionate about protecting our oceans and educating people. His main focus is on community outreach, which includes talks and school excursions.
Rachel Thompson
From criminal defence lawyer to dive instructor to marine conservation, Rachel’s journey has been anything but conventional. She began diving at 19 and, after eight years working as a lawyer in England, left to travel and train as a divemaster and instructor in Asia. Rachel joined the Scuba Junkie family in 2016 as a dive instructor, supporting divemaster training and SEAS projects. During Covid, she studied International Environmental Law and transitioned into marine conservation, returning to Scuba Junkie and SEAS in her current role when Malaysia reopened.
Anim
Anim is our outreach officer, working with one of the local schools on the island to educate the children about their home, their oceans and the importance of taking care of them. A marine biologist with a passion to educate people and work with local communities, she is a force to be reckoned with!
Elvian
Elivain is a marine biologist from Sabah with a passion for marine debris projects having started one while in University. Which means he brings valuable experience to our Plastic Project. He also has an unfilled dream of being a vet so loves working with our rehab patients as well as assisting with the hatchery and coral projects.
Ainni
Ainni is our senior marine biologist with experience in coral and turtle conservation, she brings huge amounts of experience and knowledge to the team. She will also be conducting studies while she is here as she works towards her PHD. The best bit about joining the SEAS team, Ainni gets to work with our rehab patients and fulfill her dream being a vet!
Our SJ family
None of what we do would be possible without the amazing SJ family we have, this includes everyone from the mangers, the instructors, divemasters, captains, and our massive support crew who all help out. This includes not only at the beach but also the reef cleans the removal of rubbish from the island and letting us know there's a problem we need to deal with, like ghost fishing nets. Our SJ family is a huge part of what makes Scuba Junkie special but also SEAS be as successful as it is.
Our Guests
The other part of what makes us successful is the wonderful guests we have coming to stay and dive with us. Our guests get involved with our weekly beach clean ups as well as different events we hold throughout the year making everything we do at SEAS possible, so thank you!!!
Honorary Wildlife Wardens
SEAS is supported by trained Honorary Wildlife Wardens who assist with turtle nesting work when needed. Their training and official status allow them to legally handle and relocate turtle eggs, helping ensure nests are managed correctly during busy or out-of-hours nesting events.
Our Current Intern
Talia is from the UK and is studying Biological Sciences (Zoology) at Cardiff University, Wales. She is currently completing her professional placement year with SEAS, where she is working on our turtle sex ratio study and supporting a wide range of conservation activities. Talia particularly enjoys working with the Mabul Eco Youth programme and engaging with the local children.
