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PEOPLE
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. I have worked on a wide variety of research projects and study systems over the years, and these all revolved around topics of resources/nutrients and their effects on ecosystem functions and species interactions (bottom-up processes).
I hope to use ecology to maximize beneficial and native biodiversity in modern cities.
Principal Investigator
Staff
Cities of Tomorrow (Vertical 5) team
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!
Students
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.
Irsalina Md 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.
Meghan LIM
Undergraduate
Hello! I am a year 2 undergraduate at ASE, NTU, majoring in Environmental Earth Systems Science with a specialisation in Ecology. For my research attachment under the CN Yang Scholars' Programme, I am excited to study the diversity and distribution of oribatid mites in Singapore. My research aims to investigate the factors influencing the diversity of oribatid mite species in both forested areas and urban green spaces. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, baking and travelling to new places!
Shan Lyn TAN
Undergraduate
Hello! I'm a year 2 Environmental Earth Systems Science student specialising in ecology. I find isopods very cute and amazing as they play such a vital role in nutrient recycling in our ecosystems, and I'm excited to learn more about the ones in Singapore. In my free time I love exploring new food places, drinking coffee and hanging out with friends.
Raphael MOEY
Undergraduate
Hi! I'm Raphael, a year 2 undergrad studying Environmental Earth Systems Science and specialising in Ecology. For my URECA project, I research leaf litter feedbacks between vegetation types in Singapore, a new area of study for me which I'm excited to learn more about! When not outdoors doing nature guiding and photography, I like to spend my time reading, doing art, and playing music!
Emelia QUEK
Undergraduate
Hi! I'm Emelia, a year 3 undergraduate studying Environmental Earth Systems Science, specialising in ecology. I'm excited to learn more about litterfall nutrient cycling through my project. Outside of school, I enjoy painting, rollerblading and spending time with friends.