Dr. Jillian Ooi Lean Sim

Biography

Dr Jillian Ooi Lean Sim is a teaching and research academic at the Department of Geography, University of Malaya, where she has been a faculty member since 2003. Jillian pursued her PhD in Seagrass Biogeography as an International Endeavour Postgraduate Research Scholar at the University of Western Australia under the supervision of Winthrop Professor Gary Kendrick and Associate Professor Kimberly Van Niel. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies (1st Class) and her Master of Technology degree in Environmental Management at the University of Malaya. Her research interests lie in tropical seagrass biogeography where she has developed mapping techniques for subtidal seagrass meadows, and developed ecological and field experimental models that help in understanding seagrass habitat requirements. Jillian's work in seagrass ecosystems has mainly been in the Johor east coast islands which harbour extensive subtidal forereef meadows. More recently, she has started to study the role of marine habitats in supporting fish communities and marine herbivores, and how local communities and stakeholders drive marine habitat restoration.  Courses taught (undergraduate): Physical Geography; Physical Environment; Biogeography; Quantitative Methods and Techniques in Environmental Analysis; Analytical Techniques for the Environment; Environmental Impact Assessment; Environmental Ethics; Concepts and Issues in Sustainability. Reviewer for: Limnology and Oceanography, Aquatic Ecology, Ocean and Coastal Management, Aquatic Conservation - Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, PeerJ, Biodiversitas, Scientia Bruneiana, and the Malaysian Journal of Tropical Geography. 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, its ongoing efforts to produce new compositions for the gamelan, and its gamelan outreach work with children in its highly-successful Children’s Music Theatre projects. 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.

Research Interest

Biogeography (Marine habitat mapping, species distribution modelling, functional habitat complexity) Seagrass Ecosystems (Seagrass spatial structure, habitat requirements, and ecosystem functions)