Dr. Su Yin Chee | Ecological engineering | Best Researcher Award

Senior Lecturer, Centre for Global Sustainability Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Dr. Chee Su Yin is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), specializing in ecological engineering and coastal sustainability. With over a decade of experience in academia, Dr. Chee has contributed significantly to mangrove ecology, coastal marine environments, and nature-based solutions for environmental challenges. He holds a PhD in Mangrove Ecology from USM, where his research focused on the developmental biology and phylogenetics of Neritidae in Malaysia. Dr. Chee has served as a visiting researcher in Germany and Japan and worked extensively on global sustainability projects. His research is impactful in integrating eco-engineering and sustainable solutions for coastal regions. In addition, Dr. Chee has been involved in numerous national and international sustainability initiatives, contributing his expertise in marine biodiversity and the management of natural resources. He is committed to bridging science, policy, and community actions to address environmental challenges.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Chee Su Yin completed his PhD in Mangrove Ecology from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2013, under the supervision of Prof. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor. His thesis focused on the developmental biology and phylogenetics of Neritidae, particularly Nerita balteata in Malaysia. Prior to his doctoral studies, Dr. Chee earned an MSc in Biotechnology from USM in 2009, with research on the population genetics of the blood cockle, Anadara granosa. His earlier academic foundation was laid with a BSc in Aquatic Resource Science and Management from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in 2006, where he studied the habitat characteristics and life cycle of the bamboo shrimp, Atyopsis moluccensis. Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Chee’s work has been deeply connected to environmental science, particularly the ecology of coastal ecosystems, mangrove conservation, and marine sustainability.

Experience

Dr. Chee Su Yin has extensive academic and research experience in the fields of ecological engineering, coastal ecology, and environmental sustainability. He has been a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) since 2014, where he conducts groundbreaking research in mangrove health, coastal ecology, and nature-based solutions. Dr. Chee has been a visiting researcher at notable institutions such as the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany and the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute at the University of Tokyo. Additionally, he worked as a Research Fellow at Sejahtera Forest, Korea in 2024, and has contributed to numerous sustainability projects across Asia. His teaching and research focus on the application of eco-engineering principles to real-world challenges in coastal management. Dr. Chee’s expertise is reflected in his leadership roles in various national and international research initiatives, consulting for industries on marine sustainability, and engaging with communities to promote environmental stewardship.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Chee Su Yin has received numerous accolades for his outstanding contributions to marine and coastal ecology, sustainability, and environmental research. He was awarded the USM Hadiah Sanjungan in 2021 and 2020 in the category of Journal Publication for his scholarly work. Additionally, he received a Gold Medal and a Special Award from the Haller Pro Inventio Foundation Poland for his innovative Eco-crete project at the Malaysia Technology Expo in 2020. His research fellowships include the Joint NAM S&T Centre – ZMT Bremen Fellowship in Tropical Coastal Marine Ecology in 2014 and 2015, as well as the prestigious Fellowship Award for the International Training Course on “Mangrove Biodiversity and Ecosystems” in Canada. In recognition of his leadership and contributions to research, Dr. Chee was named a Fellow of the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) in 2024. His dedication to sustainability continues to inspire and drive change in the scientific community.

Research Focus

Dr. Chee Su Yin’s research focuses on ecological engineering, particularly the conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems. His expertise lies in the sustainability of mangrove forests, a critical habitat for biodiversity and a vital component in the protection of coastal communities from climate impacts. Dr. Chee is deeply involved in exploring nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate environmental degradation and enhance ecosystem services. He has worked extensively on the effects of land-use change in coastal regions, seeking ways to balance human development with ecological preservation. His research also investigates the development of artificial marine habitats, such as eco-concrete, and how they can support marine biodiversity. Dr. Chee’s work bridges the gap between scientific research, policy development, and community-based conservation, with the aim of promoting long-term ecological sustainability. His contributions to coastal restoration and climate adaptation efforts highlight the importance of nature in managing and mitigating environmental challenges.

Publication Top Notes

1. Effects of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] coating on the bacterial communities of artificial structures (2024)
2. Coastal greening of grey infrastructure: An update on the state of the art (2024)
3. Malaysia’s progress in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) through the lens of chemistry (2024)
4. Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Malaysia – Status, Threats, and the Way Forward for Research and Policy (2024)
5. Materials and Processes of Eco-concrete Mixtures for Artificial Marine Habitats (2023)
6. Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Trends, drivers, and impacts of coastal reclamation in Malaysia and way forward (2023)
7. Artificial Intelligence Policies to Enhance Urban Mobility in Southeast Asia (2022)
8. An Autonomous Sailboat for Environment Monitoring (2022)
9. Habitat Complexity Affects the Structure but Not the Diversity of Sessile Communities on Tropical Coastal Infrastructure (2021)
10. Enhancing Uptake of Nature-Based Solutions for Informing Coastal Sustainable Development Policy and Planning: A Malaysia Case Study (2021)