SPEAKER
Prof Mark McDonnell 
Honorary Principal Fellow
School of BioSciences
University of Melbourne

Mark J. McDonnell is an Honorary Principal Fellow in the School of BioSciences at the University of Melbourne and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Urban Ecology published by Oxford University Press. He served as the founding Director of the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology (ARCUE) from 1998 to 2016. His research interests range widely, and include: the processes of driving vegetation and ecosystem change; landscape ecology; the structure and function of urban ecosystems; and the conservation and management of urban biodiversity. He has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers, reviews, book chapters, reports, and articles.

SPEAKER
Prof Koh Lian Pin
Professor of Conservation Science, Technology and Policy
Director of the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
National University of Singapore

Professor Koh Lian Pin brings 16 years of international research experience in the field of sustainability and environmental science, having worked in institutions across Switzerland, Australia and the United States. In 2020, he returned to Singapore under the National Research Foundation’s Returning Singaporean Scientists scheme to join the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore. He is also Director of the University’s Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions. Prof. Koh is one of the most highly cited conservation scientists in Asia, a TED-Global speaker, Founding Director of ConservationDrones.org and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. He has most recently been appointed a nominated Member of Parliament.

SPEAKER
Prof Chi Yung Jim
Research Chair Professor, Department of Social Sciences
Education University of Hong Kong

C.Y. Jim is Research Chair Professor at Education University of Hong Kong, and previously Chair Professor at University of Hong Kong. His research covers evaluation, conservation, creation and refinement of nature-in-city, encompassing urban domains of ecology, forestry, soil science, climatology, green and blue infrastructure, green roof and green wall, and nature-based solutions for sustainable cities. His research contributions have been recognised by the Chadwick Award of the International Society of Arboriculture, top 0.2% of the world’s scholars in urban and regional planning by Stanford University’s study, and top 1% Scholar of the World by Clarivate Analytics Essential Science Indicators.

SPEAKER
Dr Lena Chan
Senior Director of International Biodiversity Conservation
National Parks Board

Dr Lena Chan has been involved with biodiversity conservation since 1981. Her work ranges from field research in Singapore and Malaysia, to drafting national and international policies and strategies on climate change and biodiversity in urban Asia. She has published scientific articles on ecology, parasitology and women and the environment, and chapters in books on conservation biology. Dr Chan is the Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Global Commission on BiodiverCities by 2030.

MODERATOR
Dr Tan Puay Yok
Associate Professor
Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment
National University of Singapore

Chief Science and Technology Officer
Group Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
National Parks Board

Dr Tan holds concurrent appointments at the National University of Singapore, where he is Dean’s Chair Associate Professor at the School of Design and Environment, and at the National Parks Board, where he heads the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and serves as the Chief Science and Technology Officer. Dr Tan Puay Yok’s professional, research and teaching focuses on the science, policies, and practices of urban greening and ecology of the built environment. He is also an associate editor and editorial board member of several international journals.