Underwater Treasures

Marine biologist Chou Loke Ming tells Hong Xinyi about Singapores resilient coral reefs and how to protect this marine legacy

Chou loke ming took up snorkelling in the 1970s when he was studying zoology at the then University of Singapore. Back then, coral reefs could still be found along the original coastline of mainland Singapore, and more reefs fringed the offshore islands. “The water was clear, and the reefs were really astounding,” the marine biologist reminisces. “I was fascinated by the many interesting and colourful species.”

Spurred by this fascination, he started what is now known as the Reef Ecology Lab at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and spent his academic career researching coral reef ecology and advocating for the protection of Southeast Asia’s marine biodiversity. Now an adjunct research professor at the Tropical Marine Science Institute at NUS, Loke Ming is the subject of a new children’s book under the Asian Scientist Junior series that spotlights outstanding scientists from Asia.