My Background

Anchored in the field of ecology, my academic journey started with an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from University Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia. My final year project, which focused on modifying methods to produce chitosan from prawn exoskeletons, not only won me a bursary from the Institute of Marine Biotechnology, UMT but also sparked further research using diverse animal models.​

I then navigated towards a master’s degree in marine science at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, where I investigated the effects of anthropogenic threats on the behaviour of two coastal dolphins species in Tawau, Borneo. Post-graduation, my journey took me to the waters around Malaysia and Indonesia for marine mammal observation research. Simultaneously, I was actively involved volunteering work such as marine and turtle conservation and working with community. I was also fortunate to have been awarded several bursaries that enabled me to attend both national and international workshops focused on marine mammal conservation. These included the ‘Capacity Building in Conducting Cetacean Abundance Surveys in South East Asia’ workshop held at Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the ‘ASEAN Rescue Training for Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles’ at the renowned Phuket Marine Biological Center in Thailand. These experiences have been instrumental in broadening my knowledge and skills in the field of marine conservation.

After a few gap years, I embarked on my PhD under the mentorship of Professor Holly Shiels, Dr Cyrill Bussy, and Dr Ian Kane, I delved into the study of marine pollution across diverse environments and its impact on marine invertebrates. This journey has equipped me with invaluable skills, particularly in laboratory settings. Despite the challenges that come my way, I firmly believe that the experience and knowledge gained will be a treasure trove, making every hurdle worthwhile. Envisioning a future in academia, I enrolled in a teaching course spanning three semesters during my PhD tenure. Currently, I find myself thoroughly enjoying my work, buoyed by the supportive colleagues and lab mates. Each day is a new opportunity to learn and contribute to the field of marine biology, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.