ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. TAN CHUN HONG
Faculty of Science & Marine Environment
tanchunhong@umt.edu.my
https://wise.umt.edu.my/tanchunhong
Executive Summary
Dr. Tan Chun Hong is a marine scientist and coral reef ecologist at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. His research focuses on coral reef ecology, coral restoration, and the biological and ecological mechanisms that determine coral resilience under environmental change. He integrates field ecology, experimental research, and advanced analytical approaches to understand coral recruitment, symbiosis, and ecosystem recovery. His work contributes to advancing science based solutions to support coral reef conservation and climate adaptation. Dr. Tan actively collaborates with research institutions, conservation organisations, and industry partners to translate scientific knowledge into practical restoration and management strategies. He is also committed to education and public engagement, working with partners such as Aquaria KLCC to promote marine conservation awareness. His research aims to strengthen Malaysia leadership in coral reef science and contribute to global efforts to protect and restore reef ecosystems.
Expertise
LIFE SCIENCES
Marine Sciences
Marine Biology
Other Marine Biology N.E.C
Publications
Indexed Journal (Scopus & Wos)
Non-Indexed Journal
Books
Chapter In Books
Proceedings
RM7,996,782.51
Approved Grants
10
H-Index (Scopus)
20
Number of Projects
10
Total Postgraduate Students
PUBLICATIONS
Journals
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | Article Title | Year | Journals | Indexing | Authorship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Tables Have Turned: Taxonomy, Systematics And Biogeography Of The Acropora Hyacinthus (scleractinia: Acroporidae) Complex | 2025 | Invertebrate Systematics | WoS | Co Author |
| 2 | Isolation And Identification Of Bacterial Communities From Coral Tissue Affected By Black Band Disease At Pulau Redang, Terengganu, Malaysia | 2023 | Applied Ecology And Environmental Research | WoS | Co Author |
| 3 | Impact Of Multiple Disturbances On Coral Communities At A Remote Shallow Reef In The South China Sea | 2025 | Frontiers In Marine Science | WoS | Co Author |
| 4 | Six Years Of Demography Data For 11 Reef Coral Species | 2023 | Ecology | Scopus | Co Author |
| 5 | Photophysiology Response Of Montipora Sp. To High Temperature And High Nitrate Stress | 2025 | Journal Of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Sciences | Google Scholar | |
| 6 | Influence Of Different Feeding Regimes On The Survival And Growth Of Acropora Digitifera In Husbandry | 2023 | Journal Of Sustainability Science And Management | Scopus | Corresponding Author |
| 7 | Ecological Vulnerability Assessment Of Coral Reefs In Tropical Tourist Islands: A Case Study Of Pulau Redang And Pulau Perhentian In Malaysia | 2023 | Chinese Journal Of Ecology | Scopus | Co Author |
| 8 | Coral Bleaching In Peninsular Malaysia: A Decade Of Study | 2024 | Journal Of Sustainability Science And Management | Scopus | Co Author |
| 9 | Environmental Drivers Of Acroporid Coral Reproduction: Insights From Gametogenic Cycles On The Shallow Reef Flats Of Lankayan Island, Sabah, Malaysia | 2025 | Marine Ecology Progress Series | Scopus | Co Author |
Books
| No. | Book Title | Year | Publisher | Authorship |
|---|
Chapter In Books
| No. | Book Title | Chapter Title | Year | Publisher | Authorship |
|---|
Proceeding
| No. | Article Title | Year | Proceeding | Indexing | Authorship |
|---|
RESEARCH GRANTS
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | Grant Title | Role | Level | Funder | Value (RM) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assessment On The Growth Performances Of Newly Fragging Acropora Sp. In Using Microbound Formulated Diet In Aquarium | Co-Researcher | Industry/Private/NGO | KRAKEN MARINE ECOSYSTEM SDN. BHD. | RM130,000.00 | In Progress |
| 2 | Projek Marine Biology Conservation & Restoration Towards Sustainable Ecosystem | Co-Researcher | Industry/Private/NGO | INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (IPC) MALAYSIA SDN. BHD. | RM1,700,000.00 | In Progress |
| 3 | Projek Marine Biology Conservation & Restoration Towards Sustainable Ecosystem | Co-Researcher | International | International Petroleum Corporation (IPC) | RM1,700,000.00 | In Progress |
| 4 | Underwater Coral Garden | Project Leader | Industry/Private/NGO | AQUAWALK SDN. BHD. | RM20,000.00 | In Progress |
| 5 | My Ocean Exploration Frontiers Project (myexplorer) Advancing Ocean Exploration And Education In Malaysia | Co-Researcher | International | DALIO FOUNDATION, UNITED STATES | RM402,783.75 | In Progress |
| 6 | Dokumentasi, Analisa Dan Pemetaan Restorasi Karang Di Malaysia | Project Leader | National | Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia (Department of Fisheries) | RM250,000.00 | In Progress |
| 7 | Pengenalpastian Habitat Terumbu Karang Berdaya Tahan ???resilience??? Terhadap Perubahan Iklim Bagi Taman Laut Terengganu | Project Leader | National | Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia (Department of Fisheries) | RM100,000.00 | In Progress |
| 8 | Underwater Coral Garden | Project Leader | Industry | Aquawalk Sdn. Bhd. | RM2,000,000.00 | In Progress |
| 9 | Kajian Kepelbagaian Biologi Dan Kekayaan Spesies Terumbu Karang ???mesophotic??? Di Sekitar Pulau Tioman | Project Leader | National | MAJLIS BIODIVERSITI PAHANG | RM150,798.00 | Completed |
| 10 | Ecosystem And Life From The Negative Consequences Of Climate Change And The Disposal Of Plastic Debris - Eco Marine | Co-Researcher | International | ERASMUS PROGRAM - UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS | RM174,678.39 | Completed |
| 11 | Investigating Temporal Colonization And Succession Of Invertebrates In Reef Habitat Via Molecular Biological Approach As An Indicator For Reef Recovery | Co-Researcher | National | Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) | RM151,200.00 | Completed |
| 12 | Comparison Of The Impacts Of Diesel And Biodiesel On Health Indicators Of Marine Aquaculture And Aquatic Species | Co-Researcher | International | NANJIN FORESTRY UNIVERSITY, CHINA | RM30,000.00 | In Progress |
| 13 | Ecosystem And Life From The Negative Consequences Of Climate Change And The Disposal Of Plastic Debris - Eco Marine | Co-Researcher | International | Eramus Program of the European Union | RM174,678.39 | In Progress |
| 14 | An Assessment Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge As A Driver Of Coastal Acidification And Eutrophication And Its Potential Impact On Coral Reefs | Co-Researcher | National | Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) | RM146,600.00 | Completed |
| 15 | Coral Reef Conservation And Restoration Towards Sustainable Ecosystem | Co-Researcher | Industry | IPC MALAYSIA B.V. | RM246,880.00 | Completed |
| 16 | An Assessment Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge As A Driver Of A Coastal Acidification And Eutrophication And Its Potential Impact On Coral Reefs | Co-Researcher | University | Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) | RM146,600.00 | In Progress |
| 17 | The Effect Of Lowered Seawater Ph On Health Response And Measurement Of Scleractinian Corals | Project Leader | International | THIRD INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY (TIO) | RM18,079.78 | Completed |
| 18 | Study On Ecological Impacts Of Ocean Acidification From Co2 Ocean Storage | Co-Researcher | Industry | PETRONAS | RM343,000.00 | In Progress |
| 19 | Tropical Coastal Land-ocean Interaction And Its Implication On Ocean Acidification And Coral Reefs Health | Co-Researcher | International | MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, P.R. CHINA | RM55,742.20 | Completed |
| 20 | Tropical Coastal Land-ocean Interaction And Its Implication On Ocean Acidification And Coral Reefs Health | Co-Researcher | International | China | RM55,742.00 | In Progress |
TEACHING
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | Subject Name | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral Reef Biology | Bachelor |
| 2 | Diving For Marine Biology Research | Bachelor |
| 3 | Marine Biodiversity And Conservation | Bachelor |
| 4 | Management And Conservation Of Marine Biodiversity | Bachelor |
| 5 | Industrial Training | Bachelor |
| 6 | Coral Reef Biology And Ecology | Bachelor |
| 7 | Management And Conservation Of Marin Biodiversity | Bachelor |
| 8 | Marine Science Research Methods | Bachelor |
| 9 | Field Work For Marine Biology | Bachelor |
| 10 | Field Course | Bachelor |
POSTGRADUATE STUDENT
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | Student Name | Degree | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurzahirah Binti Kamarudin | Doctor of Philosophy | Ongoing |
| 2 | Syed Muhammed Sumayed | Master | Completed |
| 3 | Puteri Nurshazmimi Bt Zaidi | Master | Completed |
| 4 | Muhammad Rafiq Hakimi Bin Mohd Noor | Master | Completed |
| 5 | Puteri Nur Adila Binti Megat Yusop | Master | Ongoing |
| 6 | Muhammad Haidhar Almatin Bin Ramli | Master | Ongoing |
| 7 | Alexandra | Master | Ongoing |
| 8 | Siti Nabila Ayu Binti Jasni | Master | Ongoing |
| 9 | Muhammad Alif Bin Kamarul Azman | Master | Ongoing |
| 10 | Nik Aisyah Ilnani Binti Nik Asbullah | Master | Ongoing |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | IP Title | IP Type | IP Status | Reference ID | Year |
|---|
CONSULTANCY
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | Title | Date | Level | Client Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Provision Of Bicarbonate Solution Marine Testing | 01/05/2023 - 01/11/2023 | National | Petronas Research Sdn. Bhd. |
| 2 | Perolehan Data Maklumat Ekosistem Dan Biodiversiti Marin Di Perairan Malaysia Bagi Kegunaan Bahagian Taman Laut Malaysia An Pengurusan Sumber | 01/08/2021 - 01/08/2023 | National | Department Of Fisheries Malaysia |
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
Note: This list is compiled based on data from the last five years.
| No. | Title | Year | Level | Collaborator | Funder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mou Between Aquawalk Sdn. Bhd. And Umt | 2022 - 2025 | National | Industry | none |
AWARDS
| No. | Name of Awards/Recognition | Awarding Institution | Year Awarded | Level |
|---|
