Dr. Chin Chin Too

I am a microbial ecologist with a strong interest in extreme environments, particularly peatlands. My academic journey began in marine biology, driven by a fascination with the largely unexplored deep-sea ecosystems. However, I transitioned to peatland research during my PhD, inspired by my upbringing in the Bornean peatlands and a growing commitment to contributing to their sustainable management.

Peatlands are unique ecosystems characterized by low pH, nutrient limitation, and anoxic conditions. However, they serve as significant global carbon sinks and play a critical role in climate regulation. My research focuses on microbial communities and their functional mechanisms in peatlands, because they are key drivers of biogeochemical processes essential for ecosystem functioning.

My previous work included the study on microbial community dynamics in tropical (Malaysian) and subtropical (Australian) peatlands. Currently, I am investigating the impacts of warming on methane cycling in tropical and subarctic peatlands. This project employs integrative approaches, including metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP), and ¹³CH₄ pool dilution assays, to identify active microbial taxa and their functional roles under changing environmental conditions.