Dr. Edy Setyawan

Dr. Edy Setyawan is a National Geographic Explorer with more than 15 years of experience in marine research and conservation. He earned a PhD in Marine Science from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, with a research focus primarily on movement ecology, population dynamics, and conservation of reef manta rays in Raja Ampat. In his research, Dr. Setyawan applies a multidisciplinary approach that includes photographic identification, aerial survey with drones, satellite telemetry, and acoustic telemetry. Apart from both species of manta rays, he also researches other elasmobranchs, such as walking sharks and whale sharks, focusing on the population structure, residency, distribution, home range, and migration patterns of these charismatic species.