DR. LEONG CHEE YEW

Dr. Sandric Leong is a Senior Research Fellow known for his critical research on the dynamics, monitoring and management of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), and his innovative studies on plastic and microplastic pollution. He earned his PhD from Soka University, Japan, in 2004, and has since led significant projects focusing on both HABs and plastics. Dr. Leong is a steering committee member of the IOC-Westpac Harmful Algal Bloom Group. His research utilizes cutting-edge tools such as autonomous vehicles, optical sensors and advanced molecular techniques for the detection, identification and physiological study of micro-algae especially the toxic species. More recently, Dr. Leong's work has expanded to examine the interactions and persistence of toxic organisms on plastic and microplastic debris in marine environments. His team has successfully detected and identified toxic species on plastics using a novel molecular method that greatly enhances the field's ability to detect and identify toxic algal species associated with plastics. These findings significantly advance our understanding of environmental threats and improve our capacity to address them effectively.