Research that links conservation, scientific advancement, animal welfare and education
© Eszter Matrai
The team
Our team, EszterMatraiLab, consists of a small group of scientists working outside of the academic environment. We strongly believe in the value of bridging science, conservation, animal welfare and education through ex-situ research as modern zoos and aquariums play a key role in training the next generation of scientists, conservationists and educators.
DR. Eszter Matrai
Senior Research Fellow
Over the past 13 years, I have been fortunate to work in the research team of Ocean Park Hong Kong designing and developing ex-situ research studies. With the help of our interns and volunteers, we are currently working with multiple marine and terrestrial species, focusing on activity monitoring, behavioural pattern analysis and the use of cognitive enrichments.
For more details on our work please take a look at our publications.
In addition to leading the research team at Ocean Park Hong Kong, I am also a founder of an eco-dive team, Tursiopsdivers, dedicated to ocean cleanup and conservation.
Shaw Ting KWOK
Research Associate
Rick graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor's degree in marine science and joined our research team in 2016. Besides training and coordinating our interns and volunteers, Rick's area of speciality involves data analysis and behavioural coding and lifting our heaviest equipment.
Zi ying tan
Researcher Assistant
Iris is a graduate student at The University of Hong Kong who joined our research team in 2020, first as a part-time intern and then as a full-time intern. She specialises in panda behaviour studies. Iris has exceptional attention to detail, organisation skills and endless patience with our students.
Keith Cheng
Scientific Officer
Keith joined our team in 2024, bringing with him a special set of skills as an animal care professional, a dive professional, and an educator. He helps to organise our schedules, looks after our students, and assists with logistics. There is no problem he cannot help finding a solution for!
Fung Ming LeunG
Student Researcher
Ming is a graduate student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She also joined our research team in 2019 participating in all on-going research studies and remained on board since then. Her help has been invaluable in assisting with the training of new interns and volunteers, preparing and coordinating research sessions. Ming's area of speciality includes the Arapaima and the Manta ray behavioural studies.
MING HIN TSE
Student Researcher
Ada is a graduate student at the Hong Kong Baptist University. She joined our research team in 2021 participating in all on-going research studies. Ada remained on board after the three-month internship and has been assisting with the training of new interns and volunteers. Her main focus is on the Arctic Fox behavioural study.
Rick Lui Shu Ho
Student Researcher
Rick is a graduate student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He joined our research team in 2021, and his main area of focus is dolphin behavioural analysis and coding.
Alumni
2023
Avellina Leong
Chi Ching Cheng
Ching Yee Wong, Cherie
Ching Yin Ho, Daisy
Chun Him Tam
Eleanor Salisbury
Fai Kwan Lim, Sunny
Hing Lam Leung
Hoi Ching Poon, Phoebe
Hoi Tung Kok, Ashley
Hon Lam Ng, Kiran
Hsieh Tsz Fung
Jeongann Song
Joie Kong Ling Ci
Ka Tsun Ng, Nick
King Ki Fung, Ricky
Lok Yin Tang, Sylvia
Man Him So, Jordan
Pak Yan Kwan, Alisha
Tsui Hoi Kwan
Wai Ling Shek
Wing Ki Wong
Wing Yi Mak, Minnie
Wing Yin Lee, Vivian
Wing Yiu Tang, Regina
Yan Sze Chan
Yi Sum Lai, Luna
Yin Chun Wong, Audrey
Yin Wai Wong
Yu Jie Ong
Yue-Pei Lee, Hilton
Yuen Tim Tang, Rosalyn
2022
Adwika Rag
Chelsea H. DU
Chi Biu Chan, Billy
Chi Wing Leung
Chun Yau Chan, Oscar
Emilia Vamosi
Furtado Fernandes Andrik Peter
Hin Yung Kong, Ian
Hing Lam Leung
Ho Cheong Hui, Adrain
Horace Lam
Hui Yan Tjon, Annabel
Juwon Kang
Kai Yan Lee, Kathy
Nga Man Li, Anthea
Oi Ying Lui, Tiffany
Pak Hei Lee, Rex
Pan Hau
Richard Chi Hong Tse
San Tung Wong, Emily
Shu Ho Lui, Rick
Szamira Kurdi
Sze Chai Helen Wong
Tae Eun Kim
Tsung Man Kwong
Tsz Man Leung, Kristy
Wei Kwan Lee, Elva
Wing Chi Chiu
Wing Ting Shiu, Verna
Yee Ching Wong, Amy
Yin Hei Chan, Angus
2021
Cheuk Tik Pang, Derrick
Chi Fung Yeung, Vinicius
Ching Yan Leung, Minnie
Chit Him Shiu, Kevin
Danielle Klappstein
Fong Ching Ma, Floria
Fong Chun Tang, Ricky
Hiu Lam Lui, Hilary
Ho Man Leung, Miki
Hoi Ching Leung, Jovana
King Ho Ng, Chris
King Kin Lam, Keith
Lee Pui Yi, Anneena
Lok Hei Siu, Marissa
Man Chuen Sze, Kernel
Ming Hin Tse, Ada
Ngan Fu Ting, Hugo
Pui Ching Leung, Phoebe
Pui Hing Fan, Shania
Sin Mei Wong, Michelle
Sophie Bater
Sze Ki Wong, Michelle
Sze Tung Ngai, Daisy
Tsz Ching Cheng, Christy
Tsz Ching Yau, Jasmine
Tsz Kiu Ho, Zoie
Tsz Shun Wong, Barbie
Tsz YingTsang, Ivy
Vanessa
Virag Varga
Wai Ching Wong, Peony
Wai Ki Li, Vicki
Yee Nam Yu, Erin
Yu Kwan Chu, Tiffany
Yu Sze Yeung, Eve
Yuen Ching Wong, Hailey
Yuen Tung Li, Yolanda
Yuk Ki Tse
2020
Cheuk Sing Cheng, Aris
Chun Hei Lei, Tony
Chun Him Lui, Zeta
Dwi Wai Shan, Jaimie
Ella Cherring
Fu Ting Ngan, Hugo
Hau Ching Luk, Hannah
Hei Yeung Chik, Natasha
Hei Yu Lai, Ariel
Hiu Hing Chan
Ho Bun Yu, Orca
Ho Yuan Lee, Alan
Hoi Ching Lam
Hoi Tung Chow, Highton
Hoi Ying Chung, Candice
Ka Man Lau, Sandy
Ka Ying Wong, Christy
Keila Valery Juganda
Kit Ying Tam, Yanie
Kwan Wa Wong, Monarca
Ling Kak Lee, Ruth
Lok Hang Wu, Donald
Lok Yee Fung, Natalie
Man Leong Law, Cyrus
Man Sum Tong, Michelle
Mei Yan Low, Megan
Pak Wa Ho, Monoceros
Paolo Miguel Magallanes Mallorca
Pik Tung Mak, Angel
Ruoyi Wang, Zoe
Shirley Wong
Sin Mei Wong, Michelle
Siu Lung Chan, Jacky
Sum Ming Chim, Afon
Sze Ki Wong, Michelle
Sze Wing Lok, Grace
Wai Ching Wong, Peony
Wai Ki Li, Vicki
Wing Chi Leung, Stella
Wing In Wong, Natalie
Wing Shing Yam, Vincent
Wing Tan Yuen, Tenni
Wing Ting Leung, Alice
Wing Tung Lau, Ashley
Wing Wong, Nicole
Wing Yan Yip, Gena
Winky Mok
Yan Chit Kam
Yee Nam Yu, Erin
Yee Wa Lo, Eva
Ying Ting Ng, Nicole
Yu Wai Tong, Cyrena
Yuang Yang
Yue Zhang, Luna
Yuen Ching Wong, Hailey
Yuen Tung Li, Yolanda
Yuen Yi Au, Jamie
Yuet Sum Chan, Stephanie
2019
Callista Huang
Chi Chung Chin, Matchy
Chi Nok Wan, Billy
Chun Him Lui, Zeta
Chun Wai Mui, Jason
Devi Natalie Nadjaja
Dong Yue, Della
Evan Lo
Hei Yu Lai, Ariel
Ho Bun Yu, Orca
Indhu Lekka Kakarla
Ka Ho Tang, Jason
Ka Lee Kwok, Kelly
Kong Jaing Lee, Charles
Ling Kak Lee, Ruth
Ming Yi Tse
Paolo Miguel Mallorca
Pik Tung Mak, Angel
Siu Lung Chan, Jacky
Sophie Szeto
Sze Wing Lok, Grace
Timothy Yuen
Tsoi Shan Sit, Nicole
Wai Kwan Chiu, Louis
Wai Sum Cheung, Mandy
Wai Yan Lo, Kapher
Winona Lo
2018
Elim Kwok
Gina So
Hiu Ching Fung, Natasha
Hui Yi Shen, Sarah
Isobel Carr
Kar Yin Au, Michelle
Lok Yin Chan, Rain
Ngo Hin Chung, Nick
Rebecca Fung
Sum Yin Sim, Sammi
Tsz Ying Lau, Woody
Weikat Quek
Yick Hung, Aaron
Yin Man Ho, Vivienne
Yuan Jie Ng, Marshall
Yui Ning Lee, Ally
2017
Amalia Kroch
AnnaLeah Larson
Christie Leung
Chun Yin Lau, Alex
Derek Kwan
Emese Zsille
Evian Chau
Jenny Leung
Jessica Li
Jessie Wong
Kung Wong, Ally
On Ying Wong, Yuki
Rachel Lau
Raina Fan
Wendy Lee
Wing Yi Ng, Apple
Wing Yin Au, Karyn
2016
Andy Ip
Benjamin Ho
Esther Sivaprakasam
Hoi Ching Lee, Tiffany
Shiu Tsun Wong, Nicholas
Terri Yiu
Tom Cheung
Wing Sze Chan, Charlie
Yee Ki Woo
2015
Carolyn Shaw
Cheng Yee Tan, Cheryl
Cheuk Yiu Fung, Eric
Danielle Marie Yuen
Doris Woo
Hok Wun Liu, Angie
Mandy Cheung
Pui Ying Mang, Pinky
Rachel Erwin
Shi Yi Wee, Crystle
Sridharan Sheeraja
Wan Jie Gan, Michelle
Wen Nam Tan
2014
Bullen Andrea Michelle
Chu Quan Ng, Sofina
Goldia Chan
Ka Lai Yuen, Kylie
Kai Jie Chua
Kar Long Leung
Karina Lam
Kathy Black
Luca Hertfelder
Nikolett Varga
Shi Min Poh, Tricia
Sze Li Yap, Sharlene
Yijie Ong, Philbert
Yu Wai Tong, Cyrena
2013
Huey Ying Ong, Marion
Huiqi Peh, Hazel
Julianne Yip
Junning Chang
Leanne Hubbard
Po Ying Chui, RJ
Pui Yan Yuen, Steffie
Samuel James Welch
Sarah Lavin
Sharna Schmith
2012
Alice Tse
Boon Hong Ng
Casey Leung
Casper J. Potter
Daniel P. Grainger
Deborah Felicia Tan Li Ling
Dina Nisthar
Ivan Duong
Wing Ka Cheung, Janice
Ye Yang Tan
2011
Ho Sing Leung, Derek
Jessie Stoneman
Kristin Groenvold
Ling Eh Koh
Pei Rong Cheo
Siu Lung Tam, Davy
Sonia Lam
Xu Xuan Chiu, Rachel
2010
Andy Burden
Kelsey Jean Gapstur
Natalie Tegtman
Collaborators
Dr. Akos Pogany
Senior lecturer – Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Dr. Paolo Martelli, DVM, CertZooMed
Dr. Sarah Churgin, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, CVA
Dr. Peter Pongracz
Associate professor - Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Dr. chong wei
Forrest Postdoctoral Fellow - Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
Dr. Xiao alan lin
