Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I am on a mission to change the way people perceive and use microalgae.
Prior to this, microalgae biomass was insufficiently characterised to enable full exploitation of the benefits as sustainable feedstock and ingredients for humans.
My past research provided the tools and strategies to advance the understanding of microalgae uses. We unveiled microalgae's potential as antioxidant sources through food industry-driven research questions, while considering mounting concerns on the impacts of climate change via climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.
This research vision aligns to UN SDG2.2, by introducing an alternative food biomass from aquatic sources with low carbon emission, highly nutritious and proven antioxidant properties.
My on-going research will continue to provide innovative and sustainable bioactive ingredient to benefit food companies and end-users for health and well-being maintenance.
I welcome collaborations from both industry, academia, and the curious mind. Please write to me at [email protected].
Research interests
- Microalgae biology, biochemistry and biotechnology
- Microalgae value chain: mass cultivation, harvesting, process technology, bioactive compound and microencapsulation
- Valorization of microalgae applications including but not limited to nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, bioremediation and biofuel industry
Monash teaching commitment
- BIO3810 (Tropical Aquatic Biology)-UC & CE
- SCI1800 (Introduction to environmental sustainability) UC & CE
- SCI3800 (Science Internship) - UC & CE
- BIO2810 (Introduction to Ecological Applications)-Co-teach
Supervision interests
I am always on the lookout for self-driven and hardworking students
Education/Academic qualification
Aquatic Biotechnology, PhD, Universiti Putra Malaysia (University Putra Malaysia)
2012 → 2017
Award Date: 3 Apr 2017
BSc(Biology), BSC(Hons), Universiti Putra Malaysia (University Putra Malaysia)
2008 → 2011
Research area keywords
- Algae
- Bioprocessing
- Carbon sequestration
- Bioactive Compounds
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Antioxidants
- Nutraceuticals
- Carotenoids
- Sustainability
- Bioprospecting
- Microencapsulation for food engineering
- Circular Economy
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
-
PPRN-CCESB: Improving In-Line Paramylon Monitoring for Process Optimisation in Euglena Mass Production
Foo, S. C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Lim, Y. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Yap, H. S. (Associate Investigator (AI))
15/08/26 → 16/04/27
Project: Research
-
Microalgae in CO2 capture and renewable energy
Ee Von, L. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Foo, S. C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Halip Khalid, A. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Joegel, J. (Partner Investigator (PI))
1/06/24 → 31/05/26
Project: Research
-
ESLIA: Heterotrophic mass cultivation of Euglena
Foo, S. C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
21/09/23 → 30/06/24
Project: Consultancy
-
Securing research continuity in microalgae field at SoS
Foo, S. C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
1/01/22 → 30/09/22
Project: Research
-
Using AI to monitor microalgae-based CO2 fixation in photobioreactors
Ilankoon, S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Lim, Y. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Meng Nan, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Chun Yong, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Foo, S. C. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Microsoft Corporation (United States of America)
1/12/21 → 30/11/22
Project: Research
-
Interaction effects between light quality and anaerobically digested palm oil mill effluent drives carotenoid and micronutrient accumulation in Chlorella sorokiniana
On, S. Y. M., Khong, N. M. H., Choo, W. S., Tong, Y. W., Parakh, S. K. & Foo, S. C., Mar 2026, In: Biomass and Bioenergy. 206, 9 p., 108667.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Microalgae-based direct air capture systems for carbon dioxide emission reductions in developing megacities: A techno-economic and policy analysis
Dayanath, W. M. S., Ilankoon, I. M. S. K., Syed Ali, S. A., Chong, M. N. & Foo, S. C., Jun 2026, In: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 14, 3, 16 p., 122763.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
A review on the extraction of polyphenols from pomegranate peel for punicalagin purification: techniques, applications, and future prospects
Huang, Z., Foo, S. C. & Choo, W. S., 1 Mar 2025, In: Sustainable Food Technology. 3, 2, p. 396-413 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access21 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Assessing the impact of temperature, pH, light and chemical oxidation on fucoxanthin colour changes, antioxidant activity and the resulting metabolites
Yusof, Z., Lim, V., Khong, N. M. H., Choo, W. S. & Foo, S. C., 15 Jan 2025, In: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 105, 1, p. 93-108 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access9 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Flow visualisation in flat panel photobioreactors with optimised gas spargers using fluorescent dyes and microspheres to evaluate mixing mechanisms and microalgae growth
Dayanath, W. M. S., Lim, Y. A., Ilankoon, I. M. S. K., Chong, M. N. & Foo, S. C., Dec 2025, In: Bioresource Technology Reports. 32, 13 p., 102301.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)
Prizes
-
2023 PVC's Commendation for Excellence in Education (Innovation in Learning and Teaching)
Foo, S. C. (Recipient), 6 Jul 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
2023 PVC's Commendation for Excellence in Research (Early Career Researcher)
Foo, S. C. (Recipient), 6 Jul 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
2026 School of Sciene Early Career Award Commendation
Foo, S. C. (Recipient), 10 Jun 2026
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
Dean’s Award for Innovation in Learning and Teaching
Foo, S. C. (Recipient), 20 Jul 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
Early Career Women Writing (ECWW) Alumni GOLD Award
Foo, S. C. (Recipient), 2 Aug 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)