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PEOPLE
Southeast Asian Urban Ecology team
Plants, soil and litter biodiversity and ecosystem functions
Joshua CHOO
Research assistant
Interested in human-wildlife coexistence, "uncharismatic" fauna, and molecular forensics work, I'm currently working on stable isotope analyses of leaf litter - and the invertebrate communities within - along a gradient of human disturbance. I graduated from Yale-NUS in 2024 with a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Studies, a passion for environmental justice, and few hundred eel DNA barcodes. As a part-time wheelchair user, I'm also interested in disability studies and accessibility. My hobbies include building bad Magic: the Gathering decks and borrowing books on Libby!
Irsalina IKBAL
PhD Student
I am a tropical forest ecologist who is interested in studying the long-term responses of unique tropical forest ecosystems to environmental changes. My project focuses on addressing the knowledge gaps regarding the effects of disturbances on tree diversity, microbial communities, and nutrient dynamics in the tropical heath forests of Singapore and Brunei, aiming to shed light on their long-term resilience.
I earned my BSc in Biology and MSc in Biodiversity from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) in 2021 and 2024, respectively. My academic journey has been inspired by the pristine tropical forests of my home country, Brunei, which offer unparalleled opportunities to study and explore undisturbed tropical ecosystems. Growing up in Brunei, I am deeply motivated to use ecology as a tool to protect tropical forest ecosystems, particularly rare and understudied habitats like heath forests to conserve their unique biodiversity.
Anne OLFATO-PAROJINOG
PhD student
Hi! I’m Anne, an urban ecologist and environmental impact assessment preparer from the Philippines. I believe that building sustainable cities starts with valuing and protecting our urban green spaces—not just as patches of nature, but as lifelines that support biodiversity, regulate climate, and improve human well-being. My previous work focused on remote sensing and plant functional ecology in Philippine urban forests, and I’m now exploring Southeast Asian urban forest ecosystems by studying plant functional traits, soil invertebrates, and abiotic factors to understand their interactions and nutrient dynamics. Beyond the lab and field, I love running, lifting at the gym, reading, hiking, and freediving—activities that remind me why protecting our natural spaces, even within cities, matters so much.
Madeleine KOENIGER
PhD Student
I’m a forest ecologist studying the effects of soil nutrients on different functional traits of trees in different forest types to understand the consequences of human impact on forest regeneration. In my project in Singapore’s forests, I’m researching leaf functional traits in different secondary forest, trying to explain how different tree communities persist after disturbance. For my project in the enigmatic peat swamp of Brunei I try to answer the question how nutrients impact performance of S. albida seedlings. I’ve received a BSc in Biology from the Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg in 2015 and a MSc in Biology from the University of Hamburg in 2018. In my spare time I like swimming and other types of water sports.
Weng Ngai LAM
Assistant Professor
I am a community ecologist who loves invertebrates, plants and invertebrate-eating plants. I joined ASE, NTU in 2021 as a research fellow, and was appointed as an assistant professor in 2024. Over the years, I have worked across a wide range of study systems, but my research has consistently focused on how resources and nutrients shape ecosystem functioning and species interactions through bottom-up ecological processes. My research seeks to translate this understanding into ecology-based solutions for tropical cities.
Principal Investigator
Staff and PhDs
Cities of Tomorrow (Vertical 5) team
Litterfall nutrient cycling by invertebrates and microbes
Co-PI with A/P Eleanor Slade (TEE lab)
Tianyang XU
Research Fellow
I began my academic journey as a "tree hugger" during my undergraduate studies in the Pacific Northwest at the University of Washington. I then transitioned to studying alpine grassland biodiversity at the University of Zurich during my master's studies, followed by a PhD at the University of Manchester, where I focused on the impacts of climate change and defoliation on belowground plant-fungi interactions in British meadows. In 2024, I joined ASE, NTU, as a research fellow, aiming to expand my experience in plant-invertebrate ecology and tropical biodiversity. My journey has been driven by a passion for ecosystems of all kinds, and I am excited to continue exploring and contributing to the understanding of our planet's incredible biodiversity.
Nagichetty Poorvi ASHOK
Research assistant
Hola! I’m a research assistant in PIE Lab, currently working on a project comparing the litterfall nutrient cycling between forests and urban green spaces in Singapore. I’m interested in studying biogeochemical cycles, especially in tropical forests. I did my undergrad at Nanyang Technological University, majoring in Chemistry. After that, I completed my Master's in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation at Imperial College London. When I’m not doing science or exploring, you can find me playing squash, crocheting, reading books, or playing DnD with friends.
Yn Mae LEE
Research assistant
I am a research assistant with an interest in biodiversity and conservation. I am currently involved on litterfall nutrient cycling in Singapore, and I am very excited to learn more about our local small but mighty invertebrates! Prior to this, I majored in Environmental Biology at Macquarie University. In my free time, I enjoy thrifting, playing video games, and spending time with cats.
Jo Lyn LOO
Research assistant
Hi! I'm a research assistant currently engaged in a project comparing litterfall nutrient recycling between urban and natural forests in Singapore. I graduated with my Bachelors from the University of Melbourne (2020-2022), majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. I've always had a keen interest in invertebrates and hope to understand the roles of these inconspicuous animals in the ecosystem. In my downtime, you might catch me out exploring the country, while rainy days call for books, art and music!
Undergraduates
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Si Hui KOH
FYP Student
(co-supervised by Chong Kwek Yan, Kenny Png, and Ariene Castillo from NParks)
Hello! I will be studying the nematode communities in Singapore forests as part of my Final Year Project. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and stealing my sister's matcha stash!
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Yu Xi GOH
FYP Student
Hi, I’m Yu Xi, a FYP student specialising in ecology. My project focuses on leaf litter invertebrates and looks at whether introducing forest invertebrates into urban parks can help improve ecosystem processes. Outside school, I enjoyed taking my dog out to explore the world. I also enjoyed gardening and baking!
Daniel YEO
URECA Student
Hello! I'm Daniel, a Year 2 Environmental Earth Systems Science undergraduate student. I will be studying the diversity of cockroaches in leaf litter communities across Singapore, and hope to draw important connections across the factors influencing this diversity. In my free time, I love watching dragonflies and spending time with my friends.
Lydia TAN
URECA Student
Hello! I'm Lydia, a Year 2 undergraduate studying Environmental Earth Systems Science. For my URECA project, I will be comparing the diversity of bark bettles between forests and urban parks in Singapore. When I'm not exploring the forest or our shores, I enjoy reading and watching theatre.
Lei Chern KHOO
URECA Student
Hi! I am Lei Chern, a Year 2 Environmental Earth Systems Science undergraduate. I am excited to learn more about the influence of urbanisation on the diversity of lepidopteran larvae found in leaf litter from around Singapore through my URECA project. In my free time, I like to play the guitar and read about fun facts of the world.