Clara YONG Lei Xin

As an undergraduate, I had the privilege of exploring Singapore’s varied marine habitats—from seagrass meadows and intertidal reefs to heavily urbanized coastlines. These field experiences revealed the stark juxtaposition of nature and human development, deepening my curiosity about the ecological consequences of anthropogenic activities.

My research experience ranges from enhancing biodiversity along grey coastal infrastructures to identifying species capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions. During my PhD, I investigated the risk of coral reef ecosystems to microplastic pollution through surveys, experiments, and both statistical and ecosystem models to understand its distribution and impact. Now, as a Research Fellow, I am working to optimize the benefits of hybrid shorelines through a multifaceted approach.

Research interests

Coral reefs, biodiversity, ecological engineering, ecosystem functioning, nature-based solutions, plastic pollution