WEE HIN BOO
Home: +604-3989685
Mobile phone: +6012-4438547
E-mail: takheru@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://my.linkedin.com/pub/wee-hin-boo/53/abb/164
EDUCATION
Master of Science (Marine Science)
2013-2015 (expected)
University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Project Title:
The Significance of Zoantharians in Coral Reef Resilience
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Study the diversity of soft corals, zoantharians on the coral reefs at the islands of
Terengganu, Malaysia
Observe the spatial and temporal distributions of zoantharians in coral reefs
Investigate the zoantharians distribution with coral reef community structure
Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology)
2012
University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
CGPA: 3.84 out of 4.00, (First Class)
Final year project title:
Changes in pH of gastrovascular cavity fluid of fungiid coral, Cycloseris patelliformis during the
process of digestion
WORK EXPERIENCE
Coral Reef Resilience of Pulau Perhentian
July-October 2015
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Conduct underwater survey to collect the reef resilience data on selected coral reef areas
around Pulau Perhentian
Conduct questionnaire survey (on local stakeholders) to collect the reef resilience data on
selected coral reef areas around islands
Prepare a report on resilience of reef at selected sites around the islands
Coral Health Index
July 2013- June 2014 (Phase I)
May 2015 (Phase II)
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Conducted surveys on the health of coral reefs with Coral Video Transect (CVT)
Reef fish census via visual and video to count the biomass of reef fish
Test on vibrio population in coral reefs for any presence of disease causing bacteria
Estimate the health of coral reefs via index
UMT Scientific Expedition Series 1: The Straits of Malacca 2015
January-April 2015
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Research expedition on the Research Vessel Discovery of Universiti Malaysia
Terengganu (UMT)
Involved in the coral reef research team as Coral Biologist
Surveyed coral reef health via coral video transect
Aided in collection of reef organisms for UMT museum archive
Laboratory Demonstrator
July 2013-August 2015
ssisted in in teaching of undergraduate students in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
 Courses involved:
o Coral Reef Biology
o SCUBA Diving and Water Safety
o Field Trip (Marine Biology)
Coral Reef Water Quality Analysis
Feb- June 2013
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Test the water quality of different reefs health
Conducted coral video transect to assess coral health
Auxiliary Research
January 2014-Present
Supported by the Department of Marine Park Malaysia grants:
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Crown-of-Thorns starfish reproduction pattern survey (March 2014-April 2015)
Turpios spp. connectivity and monitoring survey in Redang (March 2015-May 2015)
Coral bleaching survey: Redang, Perhentian, Bidong (July-August 2015)
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ACTIVITIES
TROPIMUNDO (Tropical Erasmus Mundus) Redang and Bidong Fieldtrip
11th-15th April 2015
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Teaching Assistant for the TROPIMUNDO scholars enrolled in Institute of
Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Lecture and assisting coral reef fieldtrip sampling in Redang and Bidong for participants.
The Third Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium (APCRS2014)
(23rd-27th June 2014)
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Student Award Receiver
Held in Kenting, Taiwan by National Museum of Marine Biology (NMMB), Taiwan
Title presented:
“Vertical distribution of zooxanthellate zoantharians on coral reefs of Terengganu
islands, Malaysia”
Novel Research and Innovation Competition 2012 (NRIC 2012)
16th-19th Jul 2012
TITLE: New Method for Micro-Volume pH Measurements of Seawater by Using Colorimetric
Method
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Held in Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM
International level under graduation final year project competition
Won silver for University level
Won bronze for international level
Represented Universiti Malaysia Terrengganu to the Youth Environmental Camp in
University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
Dec 2010
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Held by United Nation Embassy in Malaysia.
Environment lovers gathered to discuss the environmental issues and solutions
Made environment pledges and memorandum of understandings to be listed to the public.
HONORS & AWARDS
1. Obtained Scholarship from the Public Service Department
 Year: 2009-2012: For outstanding undergraduates (Bachelor) studying in local varsities
 Year: 2013-2015: For outstanding postgraduates (Master) studying in local varsities
2.
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Honoured as Dean’s List Student (First Class Honour) for:
July 2009/2010
Dec 2009/2010
July 2010/2011
Dec 2010/2011
Session I 2011/2012
Session II 2011/2012
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2011 Most Promising Student Award of Marine Science Department
2012 Most Outstanding Student Award for Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology
Novel Research and Innovation Competition (NRIC) 2012
2014 Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium (ACPRS2014) Student Award
EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD
Licensed diver
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PADI Advance Open Water diver.
Diver No.: 1205AF5524
200+ dives performed.
Marine survey
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Reef-health survey
Extensive experience in survey and monitoring of coral reefs with Coral video transect,
line-intersect transect, point-intersect transect and quadrate.
Sampling grabs
Experienced with sampling procedure for water quality, sediment core, plankton net, fish
trawling, and marine mammal surveys
Analytical programs
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SPSS 17.0, Statistical Programme for Social Science: Statistical analysis software
CPCe, Coral Point Count with Excel extension: Image analysis and processing for reef
survey
Grapher 8, technical graphing software
Mathlab, multiple programming and purpose software in engineering
Marine culture
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Coral Culture and Husbandry
Cultured Fungiid corals for 9 month
Cultured giant clams and Acroporid corals for 2 months
Cultured brine shrimp, Artimia salina, and algae for 1 month
Managed to setup a coral culture tank of 500 gallon (2,000L) capacity for Universiti
Malaya
Skills
Able to converse in four languages:
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English (15 years education)
Malay (11 years education)
Mandarin (11 yeas education)
Japanese (2 years education, proficiency level: 3, beginner)
Proficient in computer programming, Microsoft office, and remote sensing programs
Proficient in aquarium upkeep, especially on coral culture
Able to work in group with any level of people, long hours and travel when needed
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Passionate, serious during work, self-reliable, willing to travel and energetic
REFEREE
Hii Yii Siang, PhD., Assoc. Prof.
School of Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
University Malaysia Terengganu
21030 Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu
Email: hii@umt.edu.my
Zainudin B. Bachok, PhD., Assoc. Prof.
Deputy Dean of
School of Marine Science and Environment
University Malaysia Terengganu
21030 Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu
Email: zainudinb@umt.edu.my
List of Publication:
NO. TITLE
AUTHORS
YEAR MODE
PUBLICATION
STATUS
1 Vertical Distribution of Zooxanthellate
Zoantharians on Coral Reefs of Terengganu
Islands, Malaysia
2 Zoantharia of the South China Sea and Gulf
of Thailand: species list based on past
reports and new photographic records
HB Wee, HC Liew, Z
Bachok, JD Reimer
2015
Proceeding
Platax
Accepted
JD Reimer, HB Wee, Z
Waheed, A Put Jr., BW
Hoeksema
2015
Journal
Raffles Bulletin
of Zoology
Accepted
3 Preliminary Survey on the Diversity and
Distribution of Zoanthids at Redang and
Bidong Island, Terengganu
HB Wee, HC Liew, B
Zainudin
2013
Proceeding
4 CORAL HEALTH INDEX: Preliminary
Application at the Islands of Terengganu
H.C. Liew ,H.B. Wee,
C.D. Mohd Safuan, K.
Nurzahirah, N.U.A.A.
Abu, C.S. Muhd Yusri
2013
Universiti
Malaysia
Terengganu
Annual
Symposium
Presentation Department of
and report
Marine Park
Malaysia
Published
Published
VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ZOOXANTHELLATE ZOANTHARIANS ON CORAL
REEFS OF TERENGGANU ISLANDS, MALAYSIA
HB Wee, HC Liew, Z Bachok, JD Reimer
This study investigated the vertical distribution of zooxanthellate zoantharian communities in the
coral reef islands off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia. The coral video transect (CVT) method
was used to survey the zoantharians in four depth zones; 0-3 m, 3-6 m, 6-9 m and 9-12 m. The
survey specifically focused on the two most common zooxanthellate genera, Zoanthus and
Palythoa. The results showed that zoantharian colonies, especially genus Zoanthus spp. (rs (35) =0.333, p= 0.044) decreased in coverage with increasing depth of the coral reefs. Furthermore, both
genera were more abundant at shallower reefs (<6 m from sea surface), and showed preference for
particular substratum types. Zoanthus spp. were found most commonly on dead corals, whereas
Palythoa spp. preferred boulders or rocks.
Zoantharia of the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand: species list based on past reports and
new photographic records
James Davis Reimer, Hin Boo Wee, Zarinah Waheed, Ang Put Jr., Bert W. Hoeksema
This study is the first review of Zoantharia species in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
As well as past literature records, we add field observations of our own from previously
unexamined countries and regions. In total we list 16 species, of which 15 belong to suborder
Brachycnemina, and only one species belongs in the suborder Macrocnemina. Of the 16 species,
only three are undescribed. The lack of Macrocnemina species is not likely indicative of a lack of
diversity of this suborder in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand, but instead of a lack of
research below shallow subtidal depths. While no means complete, this list should provide a basis
for future Zoantharia research in these two marine regions.
Preliminary Survey on the Diversity and Distribution of Zoanthids at Redang and Bidong Island,
Terengganu
Wee Hin Boo, Liew Hock Char, Zainudin Bin Bachok
A study has been conducted to record the diversity of zoanthids at the islands of Terengganu. Two
islands were chosen in the study; Redang and Bidong Island. There were in total five sampling
sites with two depths (3 meters and 10 meters) at each site. Specimens were collected for
morphological study and DNA analysis to confirm the taxonomy of the zoanthids. Based on
preliminary morphological analysis, there are two main genus found; Zoanthus (28 specimens)
and Palythoa (2 specimens). The species of Zoanthus specimens are very hard to determine
morphologically as they have various combinations of colour at the tentacles and oral disc.
Whereas, Palythoa found is most likely to be Palythoa tuberculosa. Zoanthus are mostly found on
dead corals, while Palythoa is at intertidal zones of rocky shores. A vertical distribution survey (0
meter to 12 meter below sea surface) was done to survey the depth preference of zoanthids.
Preliminary data shows that Zoanthus and Palythoa have different depth preferences, but Zoanthus
has wider depth distribution range. This study has also found that Zoanthus are capable of
producing monospecific ‘Zoanthid Zones’ (zoanthid benthic cover >50%), at shallow area.
However, revisiting of the reef surveyed showed that there were changes of zoanthids cover over
time, replaced by live corals. The DNA analysis of zoanthids has yet to be done.
CORAL HEALTH INDEX: Preliminary Application at the Islands of Terengganu
H.C. Liew ,H.B. Wee, C.D. Mohd Safuan, K. Nurzahirah, N.U.A.A. Abu, C.S. Muhd Yusri
A study has been done at three islands of Terengganu in Malaysia; Redang, Bidong and Lang
Tengah, to index the health of coral reef currently, using easy and affordable methods. In the study
the surveys were broken into three different aspects: (1) measurements of live coral and crustose
coraline algae percentage cover, (2) coral reef fish survey and biomass estimation, and (3) vibrio
density count. The index showed a variety of Benthic and Fish indices, hence proving both indices
was sensitive to changes and showed variety among sites. However, the Vibrio Index did not show
any changes among sites, as all showed a perfect score. However, all these three parameters were
important as they not just represent the current health of the reef, they can as well predict the
recovery of the system. All parameters do not need to be synchronized with each other, or showed
any distinct pattern as they described the current state and the future of the coral reef system.