About
Personal Profile
I am a PhD student in the University of California, Riverside (UCR) since September 2022. My study focus is on evolutionary genomics of hummingbirds. I have a diverse work experience that includes in research, writing, project management, translation, teaching and various independent projects. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am also interested in technology, sustainability, mental health, climate change, biodiversity loss, and other related environmental issues. I am a writing, reading and science communication hobbyist. Personally, I grew up in an inland town in Malaysian Borneo.
Jenny's Personal Website
Jenny Wong
Explore & Enjoy
Research Experience
Stay curiousOngoing Project
September 2022 - PresentMolecular phylogenetics of bee hummingbirds (Mellisugini)
Ongoing Project
November 2021 - PresentAutonomous Behaviour Recording and Analytics of Captive Orangutans using Machine Learning
Research Assistant
January 2022 - May 2022Plasmid Extraction, Ligation, Transformation and Transconjugation of E. coli (DH5⍺ & S18)
I assisted in a doctoral research by Neoh Soon Zher in the Ecobiomaterial Lab. I perform tasks related to bacterial DNA.
Past Project
October 2021 - December 2021Population Study of Migratory Shorebirds in Teluk Air Tawar – Kuala Muda Using Secondary Data from Open- Source Databases
I have been supervising the manuscript writing process of my peer’s thesis (Rabiatul Adawiyah). I help extract the scientific information that is concise to academia and proofreading.
Published
August 2021 - December 2022Emergency Remote Learning (ERL): Challenges and Practices in Life Science Programs in Malaysian Universities
I conducted quantitative and qualitative survey in social science. I also co-wrote manuscript.
Published
January 2021 - May 2021Can plants fool artificial intelligence? Using machine learning to compare between bee orchids and bees
I successfully published a paper on dishonest signals of bees and bees orchids in Plant Signaling and Behavior, a Q2 peer-reviewed journal. I wrote part of the manuscript of this study. I learned the fundamentals of machine learning, data analysis, scientific writing, and scientific thinking.
Bachelor's Thesis
August 2020 - August 2021Development of Species Recognition Models Using Machine Learning on Shorebirds and Waterbirds at Teluk Air Tawar, An Important Bird Area
I utilised machine learning (Google’s Teachable Machine) to build species recognition models as my undergraduate thesis. I obtained an A for this project. The poster of this project also won the Transdisciplinary Grand Challenge 2021, a Final Year Project competition. The manuscript has been submitted for review.
Education
Learning & Living
Doctor of Philosophy (Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology)
September 2017 - August 2021
Bachelor of Science (Hons.) (Animal Biology)
Minor: English for Professionals
First Class Honour (CGPA-AT: 3.87)
August 2020
International Summer School Program (Spanish Level B1.1)
International Summer School (China's Economy)
Work Experience
Roles & Responsibilities
Research Assistant
I conduct routine laboratory work to assist in sustainability related research, particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as bioplastics. I perform tasks related to bacterial DNA (Plasmid Extraction, Ligation, Transformation and Transconjugation) and starch assay. I also help update website content.
Research Assistant
Division of Industry & Community Network (BJIM), USM
I worked closely with smart poultry farming industry partner, KP Asli Company. I develop conceptual paper and research methodology on smart poultry farming.
Rapporteur & Translator
Kingsley Advisory & Strategic Initiatives Sdn. Bhd., Penang
I recorded, transcribed and translated speeches from prominant panelists such as the Prime Minister in the Global Chinese Economic Technology Summit 2021.
Programme Coordinator
PENJANA Career Advancement Program
I assisted in multiple projects, notably Career Advancement Program by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. I coordinated training programmes and classes for fresh graduates.
Project Reviewer
Sudents Development Affairs and Alumni Division (BHEPA), USM
I conducted interviews and background research. I reviewed and wrote a report on USM H.E.B.A.T. Agenda.
Science Tutor
Freelance
I taught Chemistry, Biology and Physics to students aged 17 for Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM).
I assisted in medical check-up of sun bears. I helped manage bear house to maintain the welfare of rescued sun bears.
English Tutor
Pusat Bimbingan Kanak-Kanak Sri Berrykids Tuition Centre
I taught English to a diverse range of students, including students (5 - 12 years old) from Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh, many of which were refugees. I also conducted science experiments for teaching.
Skills
Professional Competencies
Industry Skills
Laboratory Operation (Gas & Gel Chromatography, Plasmid Extraction, Ligation, Transformation, Electrophoresis, Spectrophotometer, Starch Analysis etc.)
Field Skills
Genetic Analysis (MEGA X, Arlequin, POPGENE)
Biostatistics & Quantitative Analysis (SPSS)
Scientific Writing
Soft Skills
Project Management
Interpersonal Communication
Science Communication
Team Leadership
Environmental Awareness
Public Speaking
Public Relations
People Management
Critical thinking
Other Skills
Microsoft Office
Google Suite
Video Editing (Adobe Premier Pro)
Digital Marketing
PADI certified Scuba Diving
Languages
Effective Communication
Mother Tongue
Mandarin Chinese • Proficient
Other Languages
English • Proficient (TOEFL: 108)
Malay • High Intermediate
Spanish • Low Intermediate (A2)
Publications
Hard work & Perseverance
[Peer-reviewed] Ooi, S., Hanafiah, K. M., Wong, J., & Da Wan, C. (2022). Learning Practical and Research Skills through Emergency Remote Learning (ERL): Insights from Life Science Programs in Malaysian universities during the Covid-19 pandemic. International STEM Journal, 3(2).
[Peer-reviewed] Jenny Jenn Ney Wong & Nik Fadzly (2022) Development of species recognition models using Google teachable machine on shorebirds and waterbirds, Journal of Taibah University for Science, 16:1, 1096-1111, DOI: 10.1080/16583655.2022.2143627
[Peer-reviewed] Nik Fadzly, Wan Fatma Zuharah & Jenny Wong Jenn Ney (2021) Can plants fool artificial intelligence? Using machine learning to compare between bee orchids and bees, Plant Signaling & Behavior, 16:10, DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2021.193560
Tan Su Lin, Renard Siew, Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar, Law Yao Hua, Kevin Bathman, Ungku Luqman ‘Arifin Jofintha Josha Anak Joseph & Jenny Wong (2021) PANAS! Communicating Climate Change for Media, Science Media Centre Malaysia. Accessible from https://sciencemediacentremalaysia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PANAS-Digital-Media-Toolkit-English.pdf
Tan Su Lin & Jenny Wong (2021) [EXPERT REACTION] Should I be worried about the brands of COVID-19 vaccines I take? Science Media Centre Malaysia. Accessible from https://sciencemediacentremalaysia.com/covid-19/2021/05/expert-reaction-should-i-be-worried-about-the-brands-of-the-vaccines-i-take/
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