Dr Ee Phin Wong

I’m a final year PhD student at University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC). My research focus is on non-invasive monitoring of ‘stress’ in wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Previously I was working on conservation projects focused on freshwater and marine turtles, rivers and wetlands, as well as on-ground wildlife enforcement. In my projects, I often collaborate with locals, academics and government officials.

My experience taught me that conservation is as much about protecting wildlife as it’s about working together with locals and educating the public. Local decision makers can be swayed if our arguments are based on scientific research, and that is why I decided to take up my PhD under the Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME), where we work towards an evidence-based management of Malaysian elephants.

On campus, I am co-founder of Sustainability Research Network – UNMC, working on projects with university management, committees, researchers and students.