Noor Elias is the new intern at NAMMCO. She comes from the Netherlands and has always been captivated by the natural world. Noor started her academic journey in microbiology at the Leiden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands, but her passion for the ocean led her to pursue a master’s degree in marine biology at Bangor University in Wales, UK. For her master’s dissertation, she focused on the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins, a project that deepened her appreciation for marine mammals and their complex lives. 

After completing her master’s, Noor spent the past year in Indonesia and Thailand gaining hands-on diving experience while working on coral restoration and turtle identification projects. Although she loved this work, her fascination for cetaceans drew her back to the field of marine mammals. Now a certified diving instructor, Noor remains eager to explore how scientific research translates into real-world solutions, particularly in the context of marine mammal conservation. 

She hopes her internship at NAMMCO will provide valuable insights into how research is used to inform policy and conservation efforts, ultimately helping her contribute to the sustainable management of marine resources. 

In her free time, Noor loves to explore the underwater world, go on adventurous hikes, and enjoy quiet evenings filled with good food, games or a movie. She is excited to experience everything that Tromsø has to offer.