In a rapidly urbanising world, can tropical cities become part of the solution to biodiversity loss?

Zestin Soh is a PhD researcher in urban ecology interested in how pollinators are changing and how they can be better conserved in tropical cities across Southeast Asia. His research focuses on wild bees and butterflies in Singapore, where he combines field surveys, community science datasets, and spatial environmental data to explore seasonality, spatial patterns, and population trends in urban landscapes.

He is motivated by the belief that cities can actively support native biodiversity alongside people. Through his work, he uses ecological monitoring to inform urban planning and strengthen the evidence base for practical, measurable conservation outcomes in rapidly urbanising environments.

Before commencing his doctoral research, Zestin focused on advancing fundamental knowledge of Singapore’s bee fauna, co-authoring a national checklist, conservation status assessments, taxonomic reviews, and a popular guidebook on native bees. His PhD at the Australian National University is supported by Singapore’s National Parks Board, where he has worked across biodiversity research, land management, and policy. Ultimately, he hopes his work contributes to building cities that are not only liveable for people but resilient for native biodiversity.

When he is not at his desk, Zestin enjoys spending time with his family on hikes and pursuing nature photography.