Leila (she/her) is a 17-year-old aspiring Marine Zoologist from North Wales. Her fascination with marine life began from an early age through visits to aquariums, where her curiosity about the animals she encountered developed into a desire to understand and protect them. As she has grown older, this interest has expanded beyond marine life to include terrestrial animals, with a particular focus on the impacts of human activity on wildlife and their habitats.
Her interests particularly lie in elasmobranchology, the study of sharks and rays, and cetology, the study of marine mammals. After completing a week-long work experience placement with the Sea Watch Foundation, her interest in cetaceans grew considerably. Learning more about their behaviour, ecology and the threats they face sparked a particular interest in how scientific research and Marine Protected Areas can contribute to their conservation. She has since sought out opportunities to gain practical experience in marine conservation, including cetacean research, strandline surveys and shark and ray eggcase surveys.
Alongside her scientific interests, Leila has become increasingly involved in ocean advocacy and environmental education. Her involvement in marine conservation led to the opportunity to meet the Prince of Wales, Prince William, where she discussed ocean pollution, ocean literacy and the need for stronger action to protect the marine environment. She also represented the British Sub-Aqua Club as their Youth Marine Champion during the King’s Baton Relay, combining her passion for diving with her interest in encouraging young people to engage with the ocean.
After becoming frustrated with the way local pollution was being addressed within her community, Leila decided to take action herself. She founded Tidal Shift, a community-led conservation organisation in North Wales focused on tackling local marine pollution through litter picks, marine wildlife and strandline finds, public education and community engagement. Through Tidal Shift, she aims to make conservation accessible to her local community while encouraging people to better understand the wildlife and ecosystems on their doorstep.
Her wider conservation experience has included working with organisations and initiatives such as the Sea Watch Foundation, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Marine Conservation Society and British Sub-Aqua Club. She has participated in beach clean-ups, marine surveys, conservation events and youth environmental programmes, while continuing to develop her practical diving skills. Her interests have increasingly combined marine science with hands-on conservation, citizen science and environmental advocacy.
Looking towards the future, Leila hopes to study Marine Zoology at university and build a career combining field research, conservation and diving. She is particularly interested in sharks and rays, cetaceans and the role of Marine Protected Areas, while remaining passionate about wildlife conservation more broadly. She hopes to contribute to scientific research while continuing to make conservation more accessible and engaging for the wider public.