Em Lim

Biological Sciences doctoral student in the Faculty of Science

Fuelled by a lifetime passion for the ocean, I turned my elementary school dream of becoming a marine biologist into a reality. Growing up on the coast, I became fascinated by all of the peculiar creatures in the ocean and the unexpected interactions between them. After completing my B.Sc., I worked as a marine sciences educator at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre for a few years before joining Dr. Isabelle Côté's lab at SFU. As a queer non binary student (my pronouns are they/them), I am also passionate about diversity and inclusion.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I came to SFU because I was drawn to Dr. Isabelle Côté’s work on invasive species and sea cucumbers. I was also intrigued by the collaborative Earth to Ocean group, which tackles big questions in conservation ecology.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

My research is broadly focused on the role of marine animals in recycling nutrients for primary productivity. Animal excretions and egestions (pee and poo) act as fertilizers for seaweeds and phytoplankton in the ocean, but the importance of this fertilization is often overlooked in temperate marine ecosystems, like the coast of BC. Therefore, my work aims to better understand the importance of this ecosystem function, termed animal-mediated nutrient cycling, and what we stand to lose if this process is disrupted.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to dive into fieldwork, both literally and figuratively. I've had the privilege of living, working, and diving in Bamfield for a number of years, both for my own research and in support of other projects. The freedom to collaborate broadly has also been incredible.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I have been fortunate enough to be supported by the NSERC CGS-D (2023), NSERC CGS-M (2020), and BC Graduate Scholarship (2020). This funding has allowed me to focus on my research, which I am very thankful for.

Contact Em Lim: em_lim@sfu.ca