Joel TAN

The aquatic realm has always been inseparable from me ever since my interest in the fishkeeping hobby started. During my final year studying Biotechnology in Temasek Polytechnic, I chose to specialise in aquaculture which only deepened my interest in aquatic organisms.

As an undergrad at NUS, I compared the microplastic retention efficiencies of freshwater macrophytes with different leaf morphologies and architectural complexities. I developed novel techniques to assess how aquatic plants trap downwelling microplastics and the findings offer potential applications in microplastic phytoremediation and biomonitoring.

More recently, for my final year project as an undergrad, my work focused on elucidating the influence of various intertidal stressors, such as temperature stress, wave action, and predation, on pit refuge utilization in marine gastropods.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D., I delve deeper into research in refuge ecology. My research pursuits encompass understanding how the seascape topography influence fish herbivory at coral reefs as well as how competitive and prey refuges are independently/interactively involved in explaining benthic algae diversity at intertidal habitats. 

Research interests

Intertidal; Marine biology; Ecological engineering; Aquaculture; Microplastic pollution; Refuge ecology; Habitat complexity