BIO

Dr. Siti Tafzilmeriam binti Sheikh Abdul Kadir is a Research Officer at the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. She served as a Research Assistant appointed by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia from 2002 to 2006, during which time she volunteered and gained experience at the Zoology Museum. Later in the same year, she was appointed by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu as the Curator at the South China Sea Reference Center and Repository (RRC), Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), a position she held from 2006 to 2011. She was a pioneer in this role, responsible for collection management, cataloging and database creation, collection inventory, research, and exhibition at RRC. In June 2011, she was promoted to Research Officer, specializing in fisheries.

Previously, she conducted research on the biology and ecology of fishes in marine and mangrove habitats, publishing several papers related to these topics to date. She has also explored other research interests, including the taxonomy of fish families such as mullets, snappers, mojarras, goatfishes, tripletails, glassfishes, and puffers. Since 2008, Dr. Siti has successfully collaborated with Kagoshima University, Japan, resulting in the publication of additional books and journals in the field of taxonomy. Her current projects include international collaborations, particularly with the First Institute of Oceanography China (FIO), focusing on the study of the relationship between fish and marine mammals in Sabah and Sarawak waters, as well as Matang, Perak waters.

She is actively collaborating with partners, primarily government agencies such as the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), as well as other research institutions including Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, and the International Islamic University Malaysia. Additionally, she is a member of various organizations, including the Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS), Ocean Expert (A Directory of Marine and Freshwater Professionals), the Malaysian Fisheries Society, and the Asian Fisheries Society.

In 2022 and 2021, she received the Anugerah Pentadbir UMT awards in three categories: Anugerah Pentadbir Terbilang UMT, Anugerah Pentadbir UMT (Scientific Writing), and Anugerah Pentadbir UMT (Research). Dr. Siti also achieved recognition with an Anugerah Pentadbir Gemilang MASTI 2020 award for Research (Skim Q), including a Bronze Medal from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE).

NON ACADEMIC POSITION

• Manager of Research Gallery, INOS

(August 2022 – Present)

DEGREES

• Doctor of Philosophy

*PhD., Fisheries

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (2019)

• Master’s Degree

* MSc., Conservation Biology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (2005)

• Bachelor’s Degree

*Degree, Zoology

Universiti Sains Malaysia (2003)

Journal Articles

Nor Aizam Adnan, Raihan Maisara Ahmad Izdihar, Farah Qistina Shahibul Fadilah, Siti TafzilMeriam Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Aisyah Mat Sulaiman, Siti Asmal Mat Piah, Ying Giat Seah, and Aidy M Muslim (2022). Chlorophyll-A Estimation Relationship Analysis with Sea Surface Temperature and Fish Diversity. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 17(7), 133-150.

Muhammad Aminudin Afiq-Firdaus, Chuin-Siew Lin, Mohd Safuan Che Din, Siti TafzilMeriam Binti Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Azwarina Mohd Azmi Ramasamy, Noratikah Ab. Manaf, Mohd Sharol Ali, Lian Lachs, Honor E. Wright, and Zainudin Bachok (2021). Coral Reefs Fish Community at Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, South China Sea. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 16(5), 48-66.

Siti TafzilMeriam, Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Noratikah Ab. Manaf, Ahmad Nazila Ali, Joseph Anak Bidai, Hazrul Ahmad, Che Mohd Kamarul Anuar che Abdullah, Mohd Nasir Mohamad, Muhammad Fahmi Ahmad, Amirrudin Ahmad, Zainudin Bachok, Hiroyuki Motomura, Mohd Lokman Husain, Mohd Azmi Ambak, Mazlan Abd Ghaffar (2020). Physical-chemical parameters in relation to fish assemblages in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Applied Biology, 49(4), 193–199.

Jaafar, T. N. A. M., Lee, J. N., Ghaffar, M. A., Kadir, S. T. S. A., & Seah, Y. G. (2019). Opistognathus nigromarginatus Rüppell, 1830 (Perciformes, Opistognathidae), Bridled Jawfish: a first record from Malaysia. Check List, 15, 883.

Okamoto, J., Kadir, S. T. S. A., Motomura, H., Jaafar, T. N. A. M., & Seah, Y. G. (2019). First records of the sole, Aseraggodes kobensis (Steindachner, 1896) (Pleuronectiformes, Soleidae), from Malaysia. Check List, 15, 991.

Chew C.Y. Aaron, Abdul H. Abdul Aziz, Sheikh K. Siti TafzilMeriam, Y. Giat Seah, Ariffin Nur Asma (2018). Morphological and molecular identification of mullet species (Mugilidae) from Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia. AACL Bioflux, 11, 429-438.

Le Quang Dung, Kotaro Shirai, Luu Viet Dung, Siau Yin Fui, Siti Tafzil Meriam Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Yuji Sano, Kotaro Shirai (2017). Biomagnification of total mercury in the mangrove lagoon food web in East coast of Peninsula, Malaysia. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 16, 49-55.

Matsunuma, M., Mazlan, A.G., Arshad, A., Seah, Y.G., Sheikh Abdul Kadir, S.T., Ramasamy, A.A., Babaran, R.P., Fukui, Y. and Motomura, H., 2016. Distribution Range Extensions of Parapercis bicoloripes and P. diplospilus (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) in the South China Sea and the Adjacent Waters, with Notes on Ontogenetic Changes in P. bicoloripes. Species Diversity, 21(2), pp.187-196.

Mizuki Matsunuma., Siti Tafzilmeriam S. A. K., Yusri Yusuf., and Hiroyuki Motomura (2010). First Records of Two Labrid Fishes, Iniistius trivittatus and Leptojulis lambdastigma (Teleostei: Perciformes), from Thailand and Malaysia. Mem. Fac. Fish. Kagoshima Univ., 59, pp. 27-35.

Chapter In Books

Siti TafzilMeriam Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Meii Mohamad-Norizam, Nor Bakhiah Baharim, Takaomi Arai, Hiroyuki Motomura, Mphd Lokman Husain, Mazlan Abd. Ghaffar, Mohd Azmi Ambak (2022). Spatial and Temporal Pattern of Fish Assemblages in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia. In. Madinah Adrus, Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Muhamad Aidil Zahidin, Muhammad Abdul Latiff Abu Bakar, and Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah (eds.), Wildlife Management and Sustainability, Fauna of Malaysia (Volume 2), Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN) (Accepted).

Jarina Mohd Jani, Rohani Shahrudin, Wan Saefullah Wan Norhaidi (eds.) (2021). Setiu Wetlands: A celebration of Nature and Culture. Terengganu State Park Management Council Publisher. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Estuary: Life cycle of the White Seabass Lates calcarifer (Siakap putih).

Seah Ying Giat, Mohd Sharol Ali, Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, Tun Nurul Aimi Mat Jaafar (eds.) (2021). Marine Fishes of Kuantan: Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MYBIS). UMT Publisher. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Clupeidae: pp 30-32; Plotosidae: pp 33; Holocentridae: 41-42; Rachycentridae: pp 56; Lutjanidae: pp 76-80; Caesionidae: pp 81-83; Gerreidae: 83-85; Mullidae: pp 105-107; Trichiuridae: pp 124; Tetraodontidae: 139-143.

Siti TafzilMeriam Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Noratikah Ab. Manaf, Siti Tafsil Raudah Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Ayuni Nazifah Azran, Zainudin Bachok, Mohd Lokman Husain, Mohd Azmi Ambak & Mazlan Abd Ghaffar (2020). Food and Feeding Habits of 60 Fish Species in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia. In. S. Suratman. (eds.), South China Sea Scientific Studies in Malaysia Waters Estuaries, Coastal, Offshore. UMT Publisher.

Seah, Ying Giat, Tun Nurul Aimi Mat Jaafar, Mohd Sharol Ali (2020). Field Guide to Trawl Fishes Near Bidong Island. UMT Publisher, Pp 144. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Aploactinidae: pp 33; Caesionidae: pp 61; Clupeidae: pp 23-24; Diodontidae: pp 106-107; Gerreidae: pp 61-63; Holocentridae: pp 28; Lutjanidae: pp 59-60; Mullidae: pp 73-74; Nemipteridae: 65-69; Plotosidae: Rachycentridae: pp 47; Scyliorhinidae: pp 18; Syngnathidae: pp 29; Tetraodontidae: pp 106.

Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Mohamad-Norizam, M., Baharim, N.B., Arai, T., Motomura, H., Husain, M.-L., Ambak, M.A., Ghaffar, M.A. (2019). Diversity and Abundance Fish Assemblages in the Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia. In. M.T. Abdullah. A., Mohammad. M, Nor Zalipah. M. Safiih Lola. (eds.), Greater Kenyir Landscapes. Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG, pp. 219-241. (Scopus).

Kimura, S., H. Imamura, V.Q. Nguyen and T.D. Pham (eds.) (2018). Fishes of Ha Long Bay, the natural world heritage site in northern Vietnam. Fisheries Research Laboratory, Mie University, Kagoshima University, Japan, pp. Ix+314. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Lobotidae: pp 158.

Siti Tafzil Meriam Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Meii Mohamad-Norizam, Ying Giat Seah, Le Quang Dung, Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, Mohd Azmi Ambak (2017). Importance of aquatic invertebrates in the diet of nine fish species in Setiu Wetlands. In: Invertebrates of Setiu Wetlands. Faridah M., Ibrahim Y.S., Baharuddin N., Azmi A.A.A.R, Borkhanuddin M.H. (eds.), UMT Publisher, pp. 197-208.

Seishi Kimura., Aziz Arshad., Hisashi Imamura and Mazlan Abd Ghaffar (eds.) (2015). Fishes of the Northwestern Johor Strait, Peninsula Malaysia. University Putra Malaysia and Mie University. Pp 108. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Mullidae:- pp 66.

Yoshida, T., H. Motomura, P. Musikasinthorn and K. Matsuura (eds.) (2013). Fishes of Northern Gulf of Thailand. National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, and Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima. pp. 239. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Lutjanidae:- pp 130; Lobotidae:- pp 137; Gerreidae:- pp 138; Mullidae:- pp 157.

Mizuki Matsunuma., H. Motomura., K.Matsuura., Noor Azhar M. Shazili and M.A. Ambak (eds.) (2011). Fishes of Terengganu, East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia, Malaysia. National Museum of Nature and Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima. pp. 251. Authorship in Siti TafzilMeriam, S.A.K., Mugilidae:- pp 49; Lutjanidae:- pp 116; Gerreidae :- pp 121; Mullidae:- pp 142.
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Books

Motomura, H., S. Kimura, Y. G. Seah, S. T. Sheikh Abdul Kadir, and M. A. Ghaffar (eds). (2021). Reef and shore fishes of Bidong Island, off east coast of Malay Peninsula. The Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima, pp 80. 
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Reports

Bio-Monitoring (Benthic Survey) at Tiger Bay Coastal Area, Kemaman 2021, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment (FSSM), UMT, and Venator.

Research Interests

• Ichthyology
• Fish Taxonomy
• Fish Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Water Quality
• Environment
• Conservation Biology

Grants

• Diversity Study of Family Mugilidae and eDNA metabarcoding assessment of fish diversity in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu

Principal Investigator * Mangrove Research Unit (MARU), INOS, UMT * 2023 – 2024

• Program penyelidikan kesan penerobosan air masin terhadap taburan dan Komposisi spesies ikan sebagai penunjuk biologi sungai Terengganu

Team Member * Faculty of Science and Marine Environment (FSSM), UMT * 2023

• Projek Pemantauan Biodiversiti Akuatik Kawasan Bakau Di Dalam Kampus UMT 

Team Member * Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) * 2023

• Isolation and characterization of marine fish from Peninsular Malaysia

Team Member * Manipal International University * 2022-2024

• Development of Puyu (Anabas testudineus) Embryos Toxicity Dataset as Alternative Testing Approach for Environmental Risk Assessment in Malaysia

Team Member * Faculty of Science and Marine Environment (FSSM), UMT * 2021 – 2024

• Joint Surveys for Marine Endangered Species (MES) in Malaysian Waters at Matang, Perak

Team Member * First Institute of Oceanography China (FIO) * 2021

• Elucidating aquatic and terrestrial fauna diversity in a productive wetlands through integrative taxonomy: A holistic approach towards conservation of Setiu Wetlands

Team Member * Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources * 2021 – 2023

• Elucidating the marine fish diversity from Kelantan waters via taxonomic, molecular and curatorial approaches as comprehensive baseline data for cultural heritage inventory

Team Member * UMT Research Intensified Grant Scheme (RIGS) * 2022

• Evaluating the mangrove replanting exercise in the Kertih mangrove forest using multiple indicators- Studies on fish, crab and social science surveys

Principal Investigator * Mangrove Research Unit (MARU), INOS, UMT * 2021

• Memperkasa Komuniti Nelayan di Merang, Terengganu Menerusi Teknologi dan Eko-Pelancongan

Team Member * Knowledge Transfer & Industrial Linkages Centre (PPIJI), UMT * 2020 – 2021

• Evaluating the mangrove replanting exercise in the Kertih mangrove forest using multiple indicators- Studies on fish, crab and social science surveys

Principal Investigator * Mangrove Research Unit (MARU), INOS, UMT * 2020

• Joint Surveys for Marine Endangered Species (MES) in Malaysian Waters

Team Member * First Institute of Oceanography China (FIO) * 2020

• Trophic level and length weight relationships for commercial fishes within Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

Team Member * School of Marine Science and Environment (PPSMS), UMT * 2018- 2020

• Projek Tukun Tiruan di Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan

Co-researcher * Institut Sumber Marin Asia Tenggara (ISMAT) and UMT * 2019

• Penyelidikan Saintifik Iktiofauna di Pulau Bidong dan Tanah Bencah Setiu

Principal Investigator * School of Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences (PPSPA) & South China Sea Reference Center & Repository (RRC), INOS, UMT – RMIC, UMT * 2017-2019

• Understanding the effects of anthropological disturbances on health of coastal ecosystem through the food web from mangrove Setiu wetland

Team Member * FRGS * 2016 – 2018

• Benthic Survey 2017 at Tiger Bay Coastal Area, Kemaman

Team Member * School of Marine Science and Environment (PPSMS), UMT & Venator * 2017-2018

• Projek Kajian Keberkesanan Galeri Interaktif Alam Semulajadi bagi meningkatkan Komunikasi, Pendidikan dan Kesedaran Awam di Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur 2016

Technical team member * Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) * 2016

• Kajian Penanda Aras Fasa Dua Di Had Perairan Perlabuhan Johor dan Perlabuhan Tanjung Pelepas

Team Member * School of Marine Science and Environment (PPSMS), UMT * 2015

• Kajian Penanda Aras Di Had Perairan Perlabuhan Johor dan Perlabuhan Tanjung Pelepas

Team Member * School of Marine Science and Environment (PPSMS), UMT * 2014

• Kajian Penanda Aras Di Perlabuhan Tok Bali dan Perlabuhan Kemaman

Team Member * School of Marine Science and Environment (PPSMS), UMT * 2014

• Inter-Specific Resource Partitioning of fish community in Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

Principal Investigator * South China Sea Reference Center & Repository (RRC), INOS, UMT * 2011-2012

• Project for fish collection at fish landing and fish market at Terengganu

Team Member * Museum Biodiversity, (INOS), UMT * 2010

• Project for corals collection at Bidong Island

Team Member * Museum Biodiversity, (INOS), UMT * 2010

• Project for sea fans collection at Bidong Island

Team Member * Museum Biodiversity, (INOS), UMT * 2010

• Project of Freshwater Fishes of Malaysia

Team Member * Faculty of Agro technology and Food Science, UMT * 2009

• Flagship Project ‘The Distribution and Abundance of Marine Fishes in the Offshore of Redang Island” (Phase 1 & 2)

Pricipal Investigator * Museum Biodiversity, (INOS), UMT * 2008-2009

• Project of The surveys of fish diversity at Setiu Wetland (Phase 1 & 2)

Principal Investigator * Museum Biodiversity, (INOS), UMT * 2007-2008

Professional Activities

• Manager of Research Gallery, INOS (August 2022 – Present)

Award/Distinction

• Anugerah Pentadbir UMT 2021

*Anugerah Pentadbir Terbilang UMT

*Anugerah Pentadbir UMT – (Penulisan) – Penulisan Ilmiah.

*Anugerah Pentadbir UMT (Penyelidikan) – Skim Penyelidik/ Sains

• Anugerah Pentadbir Gemilang MASTI 2020

 *Research (Skim Q) – Bronze Medal

Other Recognition

• Excellent Service Certificate (UMT) 2022
• Excellent Service Certificate (UMT) 2020
• Excellent Service Certificate (UMT) 2017
• Excellent Service Certificate (UMT) 2012
• Excellent Service Certificate (UMT) 2011
• Excellent Service Certificate (UMT) 2010