The smell of the ocean

As far as I can remember, I grew up smelling the scent of the ocean. My dad is a fishmonger, and I have always love the smell of the combination of salt, fish and ocean when he comes back from the fish market early each morning.

So why didn't I start studying marine science when I was young? Marine science wasn't a very serious topic when I was growing up, neither would a degree in Marine science bring any work prospects. Thus, taking advise from my parents, and they not wanting me ending up like my dad being a fishmonger, I became an International Business major graduate. However, upon graduating, to my parents' dismay, I joined the film productions industry... becoming a film director in New York eventually.

However, I could never forget the smell of the ocean. Now, I use my knowledge in film to document and enhance my research. At the moment, I am researching on hydrodynamics around coral colonies, hoping the results will shed some light in the mechanism and resilience of coral diseases. This research incorporates knowledge in biology, fluid physics and statistics. My goal in this research is to quantify the flow velocity around the coral colonies and relate the flow to the resilience of corals against diseases. In the midst of researching, conducting experiments and writing, I am teaching in biology labs as well. I love to see the students' face light up when they understand some difficult concepts. In the lab, I am funny, sarcastic but I make sure the students learn. I love teaching.