NUS appoints inaugural Chief Sustainability Scientist
Singapore, 15 November 2023 - The National University of Singapore (NUS) has appointed Professor Koh Lian Pin as the University’s first-ever Chief Sustainability Scientist.
As Chief Sustainability Scientist and Associate Vice President, Professor Koh will oversee and consolidate sustainability-related research at NUS. He will also be responsible for developing a whole-of-University strategy to bridge academia with policy makers, industry, and civil society, driving the change needed across all sectors to tackle the twin planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Professor Koh will continue to serve as Director of the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS), which he founded in 2020 upon joining the University to spur efforts in tackling the challenges of climate change by protecting, restoring and better managing natural ecosystems. The Centre’s research is already contributing to climate policies, strategies and actions in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.
He will also continue to helm his existing roles and appointments as the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professor of Conservation, Vice Dean (Research) at the Faculty of Science, and Director of the Tropical Marine Science Institute.
Globally renowned conservation scientist
With an international career spanning 20 years in the fields of sustainability and environmental science, Professor Koh is a globally recognised figure who brings an extensive wealth of experience and a long list of accolades to this pivotal role.
He was formerly a Swiss National Science Foundation Professor at ETH Zurich, the Chair of Applied Ecology and Conservation at the University of Adelaide, and Vice President of Science Partnerships and Innovation at the Conservation International Foundation.
Professor Koh’s research is centred on developing policy-relevant science, as well as science-based decision support tools, to reconcile humanity’s needs with environmental protection. This is complemented by his rich work in advocacy, which has seen him offer a science-based perspective to socioeconomic and environmental issues on both local and global platforms, including the United Nations COP sessions, TEDGlobal and TEDx and, locally, the 14th Parliament of Singapore as Nominated Member of Parliament (2021 to 2023), among others.
By initiating and spearheading engagements with stakeholders locally and at international fora, Professor Koh will promote societal understanding of the world we live in, and amplify NUS’ and Singapore’s contributions to sustainability efforts globally.
Prof Koh said: “I am honoured to be named the first Chief Sustainability Scientist at the National University of Singapore. Science is critical in helping the world deal with sustainability challenges, whether it be climate change, biodiversity loss or pollution. But for science to be a guiding light for policymakers, businesses or civil society, research must go beyond academia. At CNCS, we have tried to help different segments of society see the relevance of our research through capacity building and communication efforts. In my new role, I hope to build on the lessons learnt through this experience to see how NUS’ vast research in other areas of sustainability, from energy to food and water security, could contribute to the global search for sustainability solutions.”
For media queries, please contact:
Mr Naveen K
Partner
Eastwest Public Relations
Email: naveenk@eastwestpr.com
Mr Marcus Quek
Research Assistant (Science Communications & Outreach)
Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions
National University of Singapore
Email: marcus.q@nus.edu.sg
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 16 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established more than 20 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world.
Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.
For more information on NUS, please visit nus.edu.sg.