Joel Wong

Postdoctoral Researcher · ETH Zurich · joel.wong@usys.ethz.ch

I am a researcher with a strong interest in the Earth’s climate and oceans.

I began my foray into the ocean from afar (remote sensing), and have now transitioned into its physics and biogeochemistry (ocean modeling),

primarily working on marine heatwaves and marine biogeochemical extremes at the surface and subsurface.


Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher

Environmental Physics, ETH Zurich

I am attributing the drivers of Marine Heatwaves and Ocean Acidity Extremes in the Southern Ocean, utilising the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). Concurrently, I am superivising a master's project on the biological impacts of marine heatwaves.

2025 - Present

Scientific Assistant (Ph.D Student)

Environmental Physics, ETH Zurich

Developed the concept of Column-Compound Extremes - where marine heatwaves and biogeochemical extremes co-occur in the vertical water column. I then applied this to the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Marine Protected Areas, where such extremes have been increasingly co-occurred.

2020 - 2025

Associate Scientist

Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing, and Processing (CRISP), NUS

Developed ocean colour inversion algorithms for multi and hyper spectral sensors. Established a proxy method to measure backscattering in highly turbid waters. Conducted regular ship-based measurements of optical water properties.

2016 - 2020

Research Intern

Thales Nederland B. V.

Enhanced a radar propagation model by incorporating ray trapping in the boundary layer.

2015

Education

ETH Zurich

Doctor of Science
Environmental Science

Thesis: Column-Compound Extremes in the Global and Southern Ocean

2020 - 2025

National University of Singapore

Master of Science
Physics

Thesis: Modelling the Remote Sensing Reflectance of Highly Turbid Waters

2018 - 2019

National University of Singapore

Bachelor of Science with Honours (Distinction)
Physics
2012 - 2016

Skills

Languages

Growing up in Singapore, my native language is English. I am thus proficient in speaking and writing in English. I also get by with a functional knowledge of Mandarin, and German which I picked up in Switzerland.

Programming Languages & Tools
Python and MATLAB

Publications

Peer-reviewed

Citations
Attention

Gunnarson, J. L., Wang Y., Gagliardi A., Li S. H. D., Takahashi N., Wong J., Amaya, D. J., Deser C. (2025)
Removing ENSO’s influence from global SST variability, with insights into the record-setting marine heatwaves of 2023–2024.
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-24-0023.1

Wong, J., Münnich, M., and Gruber, N. (2024).
Column-compound extremes in the global ocean.
AGU Advances, 5(3). doi:10.1029/2023AV001059

Martin, P., Sanwlani, N., Lee, T.W.Q., Wong, J.M.C., Chang, K.Y.W., Wong, E.W.S., and Liew, S.C. (2021).
Dissolved organic matter from tropical peatlands reduces shelf sea light availability in the Singapore Strait, Southeast Asia.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 672. doi:10.3354/meps13776

Wong, J., Liew, S.C., and Wong, E. (2020).
Simple method to extend the range of ECO-BB for waters with high backscattering coefficient.
Applied Optics, 59(31). doi:10.1364/AO.405227

Wong, J., Liew, S.C., Wong, E., and Leong, S.C.Y. (2020).
Estimation of colored dissolved organic matter using Sentinel-2 data in the coastal waters of Singapore.
Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 14(3). doi:10.1117/1.jrs.14.034512

Wong, J., Liew, S.C., Wong, E., and Lee, Z. (2019).
Modeling the remote-sensing reflectance of highly turbid waters.
Applied Optics, 58(10). doi:10.1364/AO.58.002671


In preparation

Wong, J., Münnich, M., and Gruber, N.
Compound marine heatwaves and acidity extremes in the Southern Ocean.
In review at Global Biogeochemical Cycles.

Wong, J., Münnich, M., and Gruber, N.
Drivers of compound marine heatwaves and acidity extremes in the Southern Ocean.
In preparation.


Interests

Outside of work I enjoy hiking, climbing, skiing, and camping. When I have the opportunity to travel, I enjoy experiencing nature, history, and culture.