Clarence Wei Hung Sim

Research Fellow

Dr Clarence Wei Hung Sim is a Research Fellow under the supervision of Assoc Prof Rebecca Case. His research investigates how seagrasses and their microbiomes respond to anthropogenic stressors, with a broader focus on molecular and microbial ecology, uncovering the hidden diversity and ecological complexities of microbes in marine ecosystems. He holds a PhD in Earth and Environmental Science from NTU, where he studied the dynamics of protists in marine ecosystems, from under-ice Arctic phytoplankton bloom phenology to tropical cell-to-cell parasitism. He also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology) from the National University of Singapore. His goal is to make invisible life visible, helping to inform better conservation and coastal management strategies.

Clarence is also passionate about science communication and education. He actively engages the public through social media and news platforms to promote scientific literacy, and delivers guest lectures on microbial and molecular ecology to students. Before joining SCELSE, he was a Research Engineer and Communications Specialist at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, where he worked with scientists to translate geohazard research into impactful video productions. He is also still open to collaborations on science video productions.

Website | ORCID | Google Scholar

Academic history

  • Ph.D. in Environmental and Earth Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2025)

  • Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Biology (Hons), National University of Singapore (2020)

Publications

  • Sim, C.W.H., Ribeiro, C.G., Le Gall, F., Marie, D., Probert I., Gourvil, P., Lovejoy, C., Vaulot, D. & Lopes dos Santos, A. (In revision). Temporal dynamics and biogeography of sympagic and planktonic photosynthetic microbial eukaryotes during the under-ice Arctic bloom. preprint in bioRxiv DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.26.591324

  • Vaulot, D., Sim, C.W.H., Ong, D., Teo, B., Biwer, C., Jamy, M., & Lopes dos Santos, A. (2022). metaPR2: A database of eukaryotic 18S rRNA metabarcodes with an emphasis on protists. Molecular Ecology Resources, 22, 3188–3201. DOI: 10111/1755-0998.13674

  • Kenyon, T.M., Doropoulos, C., Dove, S., Webb, G.E., Newman, S.P., Sim, C.W.H., Arzan, M. & Mumby, P.J. (2020). The effects of rubble mobilisation on coral fragment survival, partial mortality and growth. Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology, 533, 151467. DOI: 10016/j.jembe.20201467