SH Cheng - Life Science and Medicine

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Christina Emily Skinner

Dr

03/09/1990

56311

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+61458468340

35 Tondara Lane, 2002
West End
Australia

I am eager to join the Hong Kong Laureate Forum to connect with leading scientists and peers across disciplines, fostering collaborations that bridge marine science, ecosystem modeling, and mathematical approaches. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Queensland, my research focuses on modeling management responses to Crown-of-Thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef, integrating ecological and mathematical models to support decision-making. Previously, at HKUST, I explored marine food webs across environmental gradients, applying quantitative techniques to understand ecosystem dynamics.

My experience extends beyond research—I actively engage with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communities to translate scientific insights into actionable strategies. I have organised workshops with key stakeholders, supervised research teams, and contributed to scientific literature and conferences. Additionally, I am committed to science communication, having delivered outreach programs in schools locally (including in Hong Kong) and internationally.

Attending the Forum would provide a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with experts across life sciences, medicine, and mathematical sciences. I aim to enhance my interdisciplinary skill set, contribute to discussions on ecosystem management, and build networks that foster innovative solutions to environmental challenges. This experience will strengthen my ability to integrate advanced mathematical approaches into marine science for sustainable conservation efforts.

Postdoc

Marine science

University of Queensland

Brisbane, Australia

I have been recognised for excellence in research through multiple awards and fellowships throughout my career. In 2024, I was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the University of Queensland. In 2022, I received the Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar Fellowship from Florida International University (declined due to another employment offer). My doctoral research was supported by a competitive Doctoral Training Award from Newcastle University (2016–2020). I also received an Expeditions Committee Award from Newcastle University (2011–2012) for my MSc research. These awards reflect my contributions to marine science and commitment to advancing ecosystem management.

My current research focuses on modeling the impacts of management interventions on coral reef ecosystems, particularly in mitigating Crown-of-Thorns starfish (CoTS) outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Using spatially explicit ecosystem models, I have quantified the benefits of manual CoTS control in sustaining coral cover amidst environmental change. My work has demonstrated that CoTS control efforts generate substantial and increasing benefits in coral cover across many reefs, influenced by ecological variables such as coral prey availability, disturbance frequency, and CoTS densities.

It is hypothesised that increasing fishing pressure has exacerbated CoTS outbreaks. I am now integrating region-specific CoTS mortality terms into our ecosystem models using fishing pressure data, to refine predictions of outbreak dynamics. This will allow us to assess how altering reef zoning status influences CoTS populations and outbreaks, providing critical insights for adaptive management. By improving how CoTS mortality is represented across different regions and levels of fishing pressure, we can better predict future outbreak patterns and evaluate alternative management strategies. Attending the Hong Kong Laureate Forum will provide opportunities to engage with experts across disciplines, enhancing my ability to integrate mathematical and ecological modeling approaches to improve conservation outcomes for coral reef ecosystems amid climate change.