Biography
Jillian Ooi started out as an environmental social scientist but shifted to studying marine plants because she was intrigued by how ecosystems work. She completed her PhD in Seagrass Biogeography on an Endeavour International Postgraduate Scholarship at the University of Western Australia. Under the supervision of Professor Gary Kendrick and the late Dr Kimberly Van Niel, Jillian studied the spatial patterns and ecology of subtidal seagrass meadows in the Johor islands, where she fell irrevocably under the spell of these undervalued but important ecosystems. Her master’s project was about the effects of disturbance on seaweed communities.
Jillian’s research consists of 3 themes: (1) assessing ecosystem functions of seagrass, in particular how they function as habitats and feeding grounds for fish and megafauna, (2) developing spatial distribution models for seagrass species in Southeast Asia that will enable us to predict where to find them, and (3) developing effective restoration methods for seagrass and coral reefs. Her work has contributed to the proposed gazettement of eight new marine park islands in Johor (2017), one dugong sanctuary in Johor (2017), and strengthened protection for the Tioman Marine Park (2007). Jillian also enjoys working with local communities and has initiated and supported the growth of community-based seagrass conservation in the Sungai Johor and Sungai Pulai estuaries by building local capacity for seagrass monitoring and mapping.
When she is not underwater watching grass grow, Jillian is the Artistic Director and Music Director of Rhythm in Bronze, an award-winning contemporary gamelan ensemble based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded in 1997, Rhythm in Bronze is known for its pioneering efforts in showcasing the Malay gamelan as its main medium of musical expression. Jillian’s music direction and compositions for the gamelan have won awards and/or received nominations at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, which celebrates outstanding performances in music, dance, theatre and musical theatre in Malaysia. She considers the Sea her main source of musical inspiration.
Jillian’s research consists of 3 themes: (1) assessing ecosystem functions of seagrass, in particular how they function as habitats and feeding grounds for fish and megafauna, (2) developing spatial distribution models for seagrass species in Southeast Asia that will enable us to predict where to find them, and (3) developing effective restoration methods for seagrass and coral reefs. Her work has contributed to the proposed gazettement of eight new marine park islands in Johor (2017), one dugong sanctuary in Johor (2017), and strengthened protection for the Tioman Marine Park (2007). Jillian also enjoys working with local communities and has initiated and supported the growth of community-based seagrass conservation in the Sungai Johor and Sungai Pulai estuaries by building local capacity for seagrass monitoring and mapping.
When she is not underwater watching grass grow, Jillian is the Artistic Director and Music Director of Rhythm in Bronze, an award-winning contemporary gamelan ensemble based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded in 1997, Rhythm in Bronze is known for its pioneering efforts in showcasing the Malay gamelan as its main medium of musical expression. Jillian’s music direction and compositions for the gamelan have won awards and/or received nominations at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, which celebrates outstanding performances in music, dance, theatre and musical theatre in Malaysia. She considers the Sea her main source of musical inspiration.
Areas of Interest
Marine biodiversity in Malaysian MPAs
Spatial ecology (habitat structure, feeding patterns)
Seagrass ecosystem functions (habitat use by fish and megaherbivores)
Seagrass environmental requirements (drivers of species occurrence and abundance)
Spatial ecology (habitat structure, feeding patterns)
Seagrass ecosystem functions (habitat use by fish and megaherbivores)
Seagrass environmental requirements (drivers of species occurrence and abundance)
Teaching
BA Geography and BA Environmental Studies programmes, Department of Geography, Universiti Malaya.
Year 1
Biogeography (coordinator)
Physical Geography (coordinator)
Physical Environment (coordinator)
Concepts and Issues in Sustainability
Quantitative Methods and Techniques for the Environment (coordinator)
Year 2
Systems Analysis in Physical Geography (coordinator)
Environmental Impact Assessment
Quantitative Techniques in Geography
Year 3
Environmental Ethics (coordinator)
Colloquium in Environmental Sustainability (coordinator)
Resource Analysis
Final Year Projects for Geography and Environmental Program (coordinator)
Year 1
Biogeography (coordinator)
Physical Geography (coordinator)
Physical Environment (coordinator)
Concepts and Issues in Sustainability
Quantitative Methods and Techniques for the Environment (coordinator)
Year 2
Systems Analysis in Physical Geography (coordinator)
Environmental Impact Assessment
Quantitative Techniques in Geography
Year 3
Environmental Ethics (coordinator)
Colloquium in Environmental Sustainability (coordinator)
Resource Analysis
Final Year Projects for Geography and Environmental Program (coordinator)
Lead Investigator
2022 - 2023. Johor Community Conservation Program, Dialog Group Berhad and MyKasih Foundation. Project leader for seagrass monitoring work, in collaboration with Reef Check Malaysia. Resulted in the establishment of a community-based seagrass monitoring program and seagrass ecosystem services study at the Sungai Johor estuary.
2020 – 2021. Ecosystem-society relationships in seagrass, mangrove, and agricultural systems, Faculty Research Grant, Universiti Malaya. Also project leader for sub-programme 3: Developing an Understanding of the Seagrass Socioecological System of Mersing, Johor.
2019 – 2022. Developing a Predictive Species Distribution Model for Seagrass (Order: Alimatales) by Quantifying Species-Environment Relationships in the Seas of Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.
2019 – 2021. A Molecular-to-Ecosystem Approach to Understanding Coral Recuperation, Regeneration, and Resilience in Response to Physical Damage, Impact-oriented Interdisciplinary Research Grant, Universiti Malaya. Also project leader for sub-program 3 on the ecological role of sea urchins in damaged coral reefs. See Project PULIH for more details.
2017 – 2019. Spatial Database Development for the Sea Urchin in Tropical Marine Ecosystems, Research University Grant, Universiti Malaya.
2016 – 2017. Status Report on the Marine Environment of the Mersing Marine Park Islands, and Indicative Proposal for the Establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network. Department of Marine Parks Malaysia Research Grant, Ministry of Agriculture. Contributed to the Department of Marine Park's gazettement proposal for eight new marine park islands in the Mersing region of Johor, Malaysia.
2016 – 2018. Sustaining Coastal Habitat Functions and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment, Universiti Malaya Research Program Grant. Overall lead and also project leader for sub-program 3 on the spatial feeding habits of dugongs (Dugong dugon) in the Mersing islands, in collaboration with the MareCet Research Organization (NGO). Contributed to MareCet's work on dugong conservation in the Mersing islands, Johor.
2015. The Satoumi Approach to Seagrass Restoration in Japan: Searching for Common Links to Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Malaysia, Komai Fellowship (Kyoto University), Hitachi Global Foundation, Japan.
2013-2015. Marine habitats for fisheries in Malaysia: Identifying key spatial and temporal factors that influence fish assemblages in seagrass and coral reef habitats, Universiti Malaya Research Grant.
2020 – 2021. Ecosystem-society relationships in seagrass, mangrove, and agricultural systems, Faculty Research Grant, Universiti Malaya. Also project leader for sub-programme 3: Developing an Understanding of the Seagrass Socioecological System of Mersing, Johor.
2019 – 2022. Developing a Predictive Species Distribution Model for Seagrass (Order: Alimatales) by Quantifying Species-Environment Relationships in the Seas of Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.
2019 – 2021. A Molecular-to-Ecosystem Approach to Understanding Coral Recuperation, Regeneration, and Resilience in Response to Physical Damage, Impact-oriented Interdisciplinary Research Grant, Universiti Malaya. Also project leader for sub-program 3 on the ecological role of sea urchins in damaged coral reefs. See Project PULIH for more details.
2017 – 2019. Spatial Database Development for the Sea Urchin in Tropical Marine Ecosystems, Research University Grant, Universiti Malaya.
2016 – 2017. Status Report on the Marine Environment of the Mersing Marine Park Islands, and Indicative Proposal for the Establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network. Department of Marine Parks Malaysia Research Grant, Ministry of Agriculture. Contributed to the Department of Marine Park's gazettement proposal for eight new marine park islands in the Mersing region of Johor, Malaysia.
2016 – 2018. Sustaining Coastal Habitat Functions and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Environment, Universiti Malaya Research Program Grant. Overall lead and also project leader for sub-program 3 on the spatial feeding habits of dugongs (Dugong dugon) in the Mersing islands, in collaboration with the MareCet Research Organization (NGO). Contributed to MareCet's work on dugong conservation in the Mersing islands, Johor.
2015. The Satoumi Approach to Seagrass Restoration in Japan: Searching for Common Links to Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Malaysia, Komai Fellowship (Kyoto University), Hitachi Global Foundation, Japan.
2013-2015. Marine habitats for fisheries in Malaysia: Identifying key spatial and temporal factors that influence fish assemblages in seagrass and coral reef habitats, Universiti Malaya Research Grant.
Postgraduate Supervision
Completed
In progress
- Harris Heng Wei Khang, M. Phil. Mapping dugong habitat and understanding dugong feeding preferences in the Sibu-Tinggi Archipelago, Johor. Co-supervised with Louisa Ponnampalam (MareCet Research Organization) and Rizman Idid. Graduated 2022.
- Najeh Farhan Shafeq Asmar, PhD. Hydrogeomorphology and water resources in the Nablus Mountains, Palestine. Co-supervised with Rosmadi Fauzi. Graduated 2021.
- Asilah Awang, M. Tech. The ecological function of intertidal seagrass for sediment entrapment on Middle Bank Shoal, Penang. Co-supervised with Ghufran Redzwan. Graduated 2021.
- Nina Ho Ann Jin, M.Sc. Fish communities in adjacent seagrass and coral reefs in Babi Besar Island and Tinggi Island, Malaysia. Co-supervised with Affendi Yang Amri, Chong Ving Ching, and Amy Then. Graduated 2018.
- Dhu Hailian, M.A. Spatial patterns of seaweed distribution in Malaysia. Co-supervised with Rosmadi Fauzi. Graduated 2009.
In progress
- Tengku Nur Alia binti Tengku Kamarul Aznam, PhD. Developing predictive models of seagrass distribution in Southeast Asia. Co-supervised with Aziz Shafie, Sahadev Sharma, and Affendi Yang Amri.
- Taj Sultana, PhD. Tidal flooding and sea level patterns in the Chittagong coast, Bangladesh. Co-supervised with Firuza Begham and Rezaul Islam.
- Mok Man Ying, M. Phil. Distribution, habitat association, and movement patterns of sea urchins (Diadematidae) in coral reefs, Peninsular Malaysia. Co-supervised with Affendi Yang Amri and Norma Yusoff.
- Chew Kok Lynn, M. Phil. Coral reef rehabilitation: practices to optimise rehabilitation of hard corals (Scleractinia). Co-supervised with Affendi Yang Amri and Nuradilla Fauzi.
- Siti Noor Adibah, M. Tech. Sediment and Seagrass Carbon stock in Middle Bank Shoal, Penang. Co-supervised with Rozainah Mohamad Zakaria.
- Nur Afiqah Dharwisyah, MPhil. Seagrasses of Sungai Johor: ecosystem services and natural resource governance. Co-supervised with Affendi Yang Amri and Kamal Solhaimi Fadzil.
- Yong Sheau Ying, MPhil. Connectivity of islands on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Co-supervised with Affendi Yang Amri and Wee Cheah.
*Cover photo by Nuradilla Mohamad Fauzi