ONE of the country's leading marine scientist Prof Datuk Dr Zulfigar Yasin passed away recently from a heart attack in Penang after spending his entire career researching the underwater world.
His work was profound until a sea cucumber species called "euthyonidiella zulfigaris" was named after him because he located it off Langkawi.
Formerly of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Zulfigar was persuaded to lend his expertise to the state public think tank Penang Institute where he was the marine ecologist and head of heritage and urban studies.
An accomplished diver, Zulfigar led the charge in marine conservation and provided countless research material as well as groomed several of the leading local marine specialists of today.
The 66-year-old has left a void in the science community, with colleagues and students mourning the loss of a mentor, leader, and a friend.
His knowledge about Malaysia's marine life and its mysterious ecology beneath land, is second to none, said USM senior deputy registrar Mohamed Abdullah.
Zulfigar began his academia life in 1988, where he became a cornerstone of marine science research.
Students flocked to learn about marine science because Zulfigar was also adept in field research and took pains to explain what marine life is all about.
He was deeply involved in marine biodiversity, coral reefs, and coastal ecosystems, and his contributions were instrumental in advancing Malaysia’s oceanography.
In 2002, he led a Malaysian research team on a 73-day expedition to Antarctica, working alongside the Australian Antarctic Division to study extreme marine environments.
Two years later, he initiated ROSES (Research on the Seas and Islands of Malaysia), the largest scientific expedition in Malaysian waters at the time.
He also contributed to the successful breeding of the ‘Tiram Siraj’ oyster, a high-quality oyster developed through research.
This initiative was later recognised by the USM Chancellor, The Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail. – February 5, 2025
