My name is Mohd Uzair Rusli; currently serve as an Associate Professor at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), a marine-focused university in the country. I am determined to enhance public ocean literacy, which I believe will help individuals appreciate nature better. To achieve this aim, I am now working collaboratively with research colleagues as part of the Ocean HOPE UMT project.
I am originally from Kuantan Pahang and hold Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from UMT and a PhD in Animal Physiology from the University of Queensland, Australia. Since 2016, I've been the Principal Investigator at the Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU) of the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), UMT.
Through my research endeavours to protect this endangered species, I developed several best practices to increase sea turtle hatching success in hatcheries. I also investigate the ecology of predators of sea turtles, such as water monitor lizards, blacktip reef sharks, and grouper fishes.
In addition to my research, I am deeply committed to raising the public's understanding of science. As part of this enthusiasm, I am actively organising a volunteer programme at the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary on Redang Island, which has successfully recruited over 5,000 volunteers from both within and outside the country. I have also played a role in establishing an open-concept turtle research laboratory in collaboration with BERJAYA Hotels & Resorts to bring science closer to the public.
