Chen Pelf Nyok

A Brief Biodata

Pelf releasing a river terrapin into the Setiu River. 2008.

Ms. Chen Pelf Nyok was born in Kuantan, Pahang. She received her primary education at S.R.K. Marian Convent (Ipoh) and S.R.K. (P) Methodist 2 (Melaka) and her secondary education at S.M. (P) Methodist and S.K. Gajah Berang (Sixth-Form) in Melaka. In 2004, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia (KUSTEM), which was later renamed to Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). In 2008, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Conservation, majoring in Conservation Biology, also from UMT.

During her undergraduate studies, Pelf has developed a strong interest in conservation, be it in the conservation of natural resources or endangered animals. As soon as she received her Bachelor’s degree with a Second Class Upper in 2004, she worked as a Research Assistant in the river terrapin project carried out by Professor Chan Eng Heng. What was interesting was that she had fallen so much in love with something that started out as a job as a Research Assistant. Hence her decision to pursue her post-graduate studies in Conservation Biology under the supervision of Prof. Chan should not come as a surprise. Needless to say, throughout the years working as a part-time Research Assistant with the Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group (TRRG) in UMT, she has also developed a passion for turtle conservation.

Also in 2008, Pelf was awarded a 4-month turtle conservation scholarship from the Asian Scholarship Program for in situ Chelonian Conservation to the United States and Canada. Throughout the duration of the scholarship program, she had the opportunity to participate in the various turtle research and conservation projects that her hosts were involved in, for example, trapping and inventoring river turtles in the Tennessee River, as well as participating in turtle husbandry work at the Behler Chelonian Conservation Center in California, diamondback terrapin research and hands-on conservation project in New Jersey, loggerhead research project at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, and the Blanding’s turtle research and conservation project in Nova Scotia, Canada.

In addition to her research, she is also experienced in public outreach and fund-raising activities. She was often entrusted by Prof. Chan to conduct and facilitate turtle camps for school children and to give briefings/talks to volunteers and secondary school students. In 2008, her job as an Education Officer with Way Out Experiences required her to prepare posters and exhibition materials as well as conduct road shows to local primary schools to create and raise awareness on the plight of the turtles in Malaysia. She is also extremely interested in protecting the environment and is willing to participate in the planning and execution of field-related work that contribute to the protection of the environment.

With 5 years of experience in terrapin research and conservation, Pelf will soon embark on a journey towards a Ph.D. Wish her the best of luck, will you? :)