I hold a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity (2013) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Cetacean Ecology (2021) from the University of Hong Kong. My doctoral research investigated the foraging ecology of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Hong Kong, employing a multifaceted approach in cetacean ecology, underwater soundscape ecology, and microplastic analysis. Currently, I’m a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where I further develop my microplastic analysis skills since 2021. I am also a Research Scientist at the Cetacea Research Institute in Hong Kong from 2015 to the present.

My work on foraging ecology is based on stable isotope analysis through incremental sampling of growth layer groups. My interest in acoustic research began with an interest in understanding how dolphins communicate, which further developed into a comprehensive exploration of acoustic research techniques, including point-based recording, long-duration passive acoustic recording, and acoustic line-transect studies. My interest also extends to applying analytical skills in big data analysis and Bayesian belief networks.

Research Interests

• Marine Mammal Ecology: Employing hierarchical Bayesian analysis for weaning age to decipher developmental dietary shifts. Analysis of stomach contents and stable isotope techniques to unravel diet composition and resource partitioning among subpopulations; Reproductive processes such as reproductive patterns, gestation periods; how effects of environmental variables, social structures, and anthropogenic pressures on reproductive rates and population viability.

  • Bayesian hierarchical analysis of ontogenetic dietary shifts in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
  • Reproductive dynamics of an inshore delphinid reflect demographic consequences of large-scale coastal constructions. Biological Conservation
  • Stable isotope metrics to identify diet composition and resource partitioning among subpopulations
  • Necropsy and post-mortem analysis of strandings in Hong Kong waters - patterns, hotspots, conservation implications

• Underwater Soundscapes: Significance of sound in aquatic environments covers marine organisms’ use of sound for communication, navigation, and foraging, as well as the impacts of human-induced noise pollution. Efforts focus on mitigating adverse effects and preserving marine acoustic habitats.

  • Fine-scale spatial variability of marine soundscape corresponds with habitat utilization of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Hong Kong waters
  • Passive acoustic monitoring in western and southern Hong Kong waters
  • Night-time acoustic line transect for dolphin and porpoise detection and localization

• Microplastics and its impacts: Distribution and impact processes of microplastic particles in marine environments and organisms. It highlights how these particles are ingested by marine life, leading to ecological risks such as potential harm to marine species and disruptions to food webs.

  Studied animals and environemnts include: Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (in submission); Green-lipped mussel ; Oysters (In prep); Human faeces ; Brine shrimp in Tibet plateau ; Jellyfish; Sponge in Deep Artic; Hong Kong’s river and streams (In prep), marine water, and water from road runoff.

  Other microplastic related projects:

  • Holographic imaging technique for in-situ microplastic identification

  • Development of nano-bubble for removal of sub-10 micron microplastics in waste water

  • Microbiome community on microplastic particles in river water (under review) Environmental Science & Technology