KOTA KINABALU: A Sabahan will be flying the Jalur Gemilang and Sabah flags in Antarctica as the first Malaysian to conduct climate change winter research starting March 15.
Prof Dr Justin Sentian (pic), a Ranau-born scientist, is the first Malaysian to conduct research in Antarctica, but this coming six-month research programme is not his first stint.
The polar atmospheric scientist from the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources of Universiti Malaysia Sabah was there on a three-month summer research programme in 2018.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the ongoing works by Prof Sentian, 54, are a proud achievement for Sabah and the nation.
“It is momentous, and I am sure all Sabahans and Malaysians will be proud of Prof Dr Justin Sentian. We wish him every success,” he said after handing over the state flag to the scientist at Menara Kinabalu, near here, yesterday.
Prof Sentian said his research, titled “Tropospheric Ozone and Halocarbon Variations in the Antarctic Peninsula under Extreme Weather Conditions”, will be based at the Professor Julio Escudero Base Station at King George Island, Antarctica.
“The Antarctic is a good and accurate point to observe climate change, among others. Variations noted there will have a butterfly effect on the rest of the world,” said Prof Sentian.
(A butterfly effect is a small change that can lead to large-scale consequences in a complex system.)
“I am proud to share this amazing opportunity as the first Malaysian scientist to bring our flags to Antarctica,” he added.
Prof Sentian hopes this symbolic gesture will motivate other researchers, especially the younger generation in Sabah, to continue striving for excellence in all fields, in particular science.
This study, conducted in collaboration with the Santiago University in Chile, is partially funded by a three-year research grant from the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM) starting this year.
The effort is to enhance research capacity building, particularly in atmospheric chemistry modelling and academic and scientific research networking at the international level.
