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.
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 project on the biological impacts of marine heatwaves.
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.
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.
Enhanced a radar propagation model by incorporating ray trapping in the boundary layer.
Thesis: Column-Compound Extremes in the Global and Southern Ocean
Thesis: Modelling the Remote Sensing Reflectance of Highly Turbid Waters
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.
Wong, J., Münnich, M., and Gruber, N. (2025).
Compound marine heatwaves and acidity extremes in the Southern Ocean.
Global Biogeochemical Cycles, (39).
doi:10.1029/2025GB008630
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
Wong, J., Münnich, M., and Gruber, N.
Drivers of compound marine heatwaves and acidity extremes in the Southern Ocean.
In preparation.
Outside of work I enjoy hiking, climbing, and skiing, When I have the opportunity to travel, I enjoy experiencing nature, history, and local culture