Dr. Jillian Ooi, Universiti Malaya

Dr Jillian Ooi is a marine geographer at the Department of Geography, Universiti Malaya, specializing in seagrass ecosystems—their spatial distribution, environmental drivers, and the vital ecosystem services they provide to coastal communities. 

Her research has contributed to the establishment of the Pulau Lima marine park (2023) and strengthened protections for marine parks around Tioman Island (2005–2007) and the Mersing Islands (2016–2019). Jillian is a Komai Fellow (2015) and a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation (2022), fellowships that underpin her work in seagrass restoration. 

Deeply concerned about the degradation of seagrass meadows in Malaysia, Jillian is passionate about raising awareness of their importance. She combines science and music to deliver urgent conservation messages, reaching broader audiences through innovative storytelling. 

As Artistic and Music Director of Rhythm in Bronze, an award-winning Malaysian gamelan orchestra, Jillian and her team have pioneered gamelan theatre as a platform for cultural and environmental advocacy.