Amy Choong, Ph.D.
Short biography
After Amy graduated from NUS, she worked as the Scientific Officer with Sungei Buloh Wetland
Reserve managing the flora and fauna of the reserve. When the opportunity arose, she pursued
further study at the University of Hong Kong. Her Ph.D. topic was on the “Pattern Of Herbivory In
Tropical Fagaceae”. Upon her return to Singapore, she joined Givaudan Pte Ltd to analyse fragrances
in consumer products and from natural sources. When research funds became available, she joined
Tropical marine Science Institute as a research fellow to investigate the breakdown of
pharmaceuticals by marine bacteria. After she got married, she lived in Taiwan for two years and got
into the culture of recycling and was very impressed with Taiwan’s waste management practices. All
these prior experiences were very helpful when she started teaching at the Republic Polytechnic
using Problem-based learning.
Amy is now a lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore. She
is currently teaching GEK1515 (Environmental Biology), LSM1301 (Biodiversity), SSS1207 (Natural
Heritage of Singapore), and LSM1103 (General Biology). Her goal is to get students as well as
members of the public to be environmentally aware and eventually make lifestyle changes to
minimize harm to the environment.