Marine Biologist Among Winners Of Singapore Youth Awards 2019 (VIDEO)

Dr. Neo Mei Lin is known for her research on giant clams and the conservation of marine ecosystems.

AsianScientist (Nov. 4, 2019)Dr. Neo Mei Lin, a research fellow at the Tropical Marine Science Institute of the National University of Singapore, is one of seven Singaporeans honored with the Singapore Youth Awards (SYA) 2019. The nation’s highest accolade for youth, THE SYA recognizes exceptional young people who enrich the hearts and souls of the community and bring distinction to the nation.

A marine biologist by training, Neo champions environmentalism and has built her career on understanding tropical reef ecosystems. In particular, she studies giant clams, which are an endangered species that serve as both food source and shelter for other marine organisms.

Her research efforts have led to population restoration efforts of this iconic bivalve on Singapore’s coral reefs, and in 2015, Neo received the 2015 L’Oréal Singapore For Women In Science National Fellowship and S$30,000 (~US$22,000) in grant money.

Neo also launched the community platform Celebrating Singapore Shores in 2018 with Singaporean wildlife enthusiast Ms. Ria Tan. Via the platform, she seeks to partner with the marine community in Singapore to encourage environmentalism among the island nation’s youth.

The other winners of the Singapore Youth Awards 2019 are chief conductor of the world-renowned Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra Mr. Wong Kahchun; founder of youth mental health non-profit organization Campus PSY (Peer Support for Youths) Mr. Cho Ming Xiu; national silat athlete Mr. Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin; teacher and founder of non-profit organization BLESS (Bringing Love to Every Single Soul) Ms. Francesca Phoebe Wah; artist Ms. Alecia Neo; and lawyer and chairperson of the SINDA Youth Club Ms. Sujatha Selvakumar.


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