THE GEN.T LEADERS OF TOMORROW: Louisa Ponnampalam

Motivated by a fascination for aquatic animals, the co-founder of MareCet Research Organization studies the wonders of the ocean and promotes its conservation

- Chong Jinn Xiung

Growing up in Malaysia, Louisa Ponnampalam had a strong affinity for the sea. At a young age, she was fascinated by sea creatures like dolphins and whales, and it became her dream to see them in the wild. Her passion for the ocean and its inhabitants later inspired her to dedicate her life to studying and finding ways to protect them.

Upon completing her PhD in marine science in Hawaii, she returned to Malaysia. Back home, she realised a lack of scientific knowledge and public awareness about marine mammals. Seeing this gap, she co-founded the MareCet Research Organization in 2012.

MareCet serves as a platform for developing young Malaysians interested in marine conservation. It offers training opportunities and increases the country’s scientific knowledge and conservation awareness of marine mammals via multiple projects. Their flagship projects include the Langkawi Dolphin Research Project, Matang Dolphin Research Project, Dugong Research and Conservation Project, and Cetacean Bycatch Mitigation Project.