Helmi Caesar is a marine scientist and a non-permanent teaching staff member at Universitas Samudra in Langsa, Aceh. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marine science from Universitas Syiah Kuala and a master’s degree in environmental science and management from the University of Rhode Island.

He studies marine science and technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, supported by the Fulbright Doctoral Degree Program. Upon completing the program, he plans to return to Langsa, Aceh, and work with fishing communities living in vast mangrove areas. He also plans to create a shark nursery and research center in Aceh, and to establish shark camps with local high schools to increase public awareness about sharks.