Jia Hao Tow

Researcher PHD Student @ National University of Singapore

About

Hello! My name is Jia Hao, and I am a final-year PhD student at the National University of Singapore. My PhD focuses on tackling the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) through trade and market analyses, exploring key economic pillars behind the illegal trade. Through my thesis, I explore the true value of IWT, the changes in the global network of IWT, the existing gaps in CITES and potentially overlooked species, and potential price determinants to regional IWT. I am a wildlife enthusiast and conservationist, having worked with the long-tailed macaques in Singapore during my time at the National Parks Board of Singapore as a wildlife manager and Nanyang Technological University as a research assistant. I enjoy wildlife photography and hiking, as well as playing ultimate frisbee during my free time. As I approach the completion of my PhD, I am actively seeking postdoctoral positions or operational roles in conservation or ecology.

Country

City

Singapore

Industry

Government Administration

Skill

Wildlife Trade, Research, Strategy, Microsoft Excel, Customer Service, Analytical Skills, R (Programming Language), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Conservation Biology, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Management, Biological Data Analysis, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Ecology, Project Management, Volunteer Management, Public Engagement, Data Analysis, Biodiversity

Experience

Researcher PHD Student

National University of Singapore

2022-8 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

Singapore

The thesis focuses on tackling the illegal wildlife trade, studying economic trends and drivers of global trafficking, as well as the online illegal trade.

Research Assistant

Nanyang Technological University Singapore

2021-11 - 2022-8 · 10 mos

Singapore

• Conducting parasitology research of soil-transmitted helminths present in local long-tailed macaques. • Design and implement fieldwork in natural and urban areas in Singapore. • Ecological data collection and management, as well as scientific writing.

Manager

National Parks Board

2021-1 - 2021-11 · 11 mos

Singapore

- Member of the Wildlife Management team, focusing on outreach/education for human-long tailed Macaque conflict. - Spearheading the “Youth Stewards for Nature Project” for long tailed Macaque population census, training and directly organizing youth volunteers for macaque population surveys around Singapore.

Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

2020-7 - 2020-12 · 6 mos

Singapore

- Member of the Natural Capital team in the Bio-Economics Lab. - Evaluating Singapore’s green and blue spaces and their value to Singapore’s economy and wellbeing, using R and ArcGIS/QGIS to run statistical models.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

2019-2 - 2020-2 · 1 yr 1 mo

Singapore

- Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum - Identified Insect taxa and species from collected samples, sorting insects into their different phylogenetic groups, as well as storage of sampled insects for the museum collection.

Research Intern

Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore)

2019-2 - 2019-5 · 4 mos

Singapore

- Conducted field surveys weekly, surveying the critically endangered Raffles Banded Langurs. - Field surveys include observation and study of their distribution and population demographics, as well as behaviors of the Langurs in their natural habitats.

International Intern

Walt Disney World

2018-5 - 2018-8 · 4 mos

Orlando, Florida, United States

- Selected to participate in the Disney International College Program - Delivered daily guest services while performing duties of a Disney Cast Member at Blizzard Beach, ensuring guest experience is of the best and highest quality together with the tight-knit Cast Member Team.