Leela Rajamani

Senior Lecturer

B.Sc. (Biotechnology), Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

M.Sc. (Conservation Biology), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor

Ph.D. (Marine Science), Universiti Malaysia Sabah [Thesis title: The conservation biology of the dugong (Dugong dugon) and its seagrass habitat in Sabah, Malaysia: a basis for conservation planning]

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Dugong & Marine Conservation

Research Profile

I am a marine conservation biologist with specific interests in the ecology and conservation of marine mammals and their habitats. I am interested in using interdisciplinary methods such as marine biology, ecology, anthropology and sociology in looking at conservation problems in relation to community involvement in conservation, marine park management and policy. My aim is to inform a balanced and equitable approach to the management of coastal and marine resources.

Current Research

Community understanding and management of dugong and seagrass resources in Johor, Malaysia.

Selected Publications

• Rajamani, L. (2014). The Adventures of Karum the Dugong. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
• Rajamani, L. (2014). Aquatic Mammals of Penang: Identification guide and Guidelines for good practises. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
• Rajamani, L. & Esa, N. (Eds). (2013). The relevance of science to local knowledge. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
• Esa, N., Rajamani, L. & Mohd. Yusoff, Z. (Eds). (2014). Reengineering Local knowledge: Life,Science & Technology. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
• Naim, Md. D., I.A. Mardiana & Rajamani, L. (Eds). (2015). Natural Resources & Aquatic Environment. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
•  Rajamani, L. (2009). The conservation biology of the dugong (Dugong dugon) & its seagrass habitat in Sabah, Malaysia: A basis for conservation planning. Ph.D. Thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
• Rajamani, L. (2012). Using social science methods in the conservation of the dugong (Dugong dugon) in Sabah Malaysia. In: Abdullah, S., Ahmad, A., & Hardy, Shafii (Eds.). Transdisciplinarity as research. Selection of papers from the Ist School of the Arts Research Colloquium.141pp. ISBN 978-967-394-087-5.
• Rajamani, L. (2013). Using community knowledge in data-deficient regions: conserving the Dugong (Dugong dugon) in the Sulu Sea, Malaysia. Oryx. 47:173-176.
• Rajamani, L. & Marsh, H. (2010). Using parallel regional- & local-scale initiatives to inform conservation management of rare wildlife: a case study of the dugong Dugong dugon in Sabah,Malaysia. Endangered Species Research 13: 17-23.
• Rajamani, L, & Marsh H. (2015). Mapping seagrass cost-effectively in the Coral Triangle: Sabah, Malaysia as a case study. Pacific Conservation Biology.21, 113-121.
• Rajamani, L., Cabanban, A.S, & Ridzwan, A.R. (2006). Indigenous Use & Trade of Dugong (Dugong dugon) in Sabah, Malaysia. Ambio. 32(5):266-268.
• Rajamani, L., Abdullah, A., Zubaid, A., Tan, K.H. & Kunz, T.H. (1999). Chemical Composition of leaves consumed by the lesser dog faced fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis, in peninsular Malaysia. Acta Chiropterologica. 1(2): 209-214.
• Van Bressem, M. F., Minton, G., Sutaria, D., Kelkar, N., Peter, C., Zulkarnean, M., Mansur, M. R., Porter, L., Rodriguez- Vargas, L. H. & Rajamani, L. (2014). Cutaneous nodules in Irrawaddy dolphins: an emerging disease in vulnerable populations. Disease of Aquatic Organisms. 107: 181-189.

Awards

• Illawarra Credit Union Employment Scholarship (1991) - 60 hours under the Supplementation Scholarship program offered by the Illawarra Credit Union, Australia.
• Achievement award (First year; First session), Weerona College, University of Wollongong, Australia.
• Honours Grades Award 1990 - Faculty of Science, Weerona College, University of Wollongong, Australia.
• Universiti Malaysia Sabah Zamalah Scholarship (2001-2004).
• Prince Bernhard Scholarship 2003 - WWF International, Switzerland.
• Best Poster - Expedisi Pelayaran Saintifik Perdana ‘09 (Prime Scientific Marine Expedition ’09), Coral Triangle Initiative, Malaysia.
• Member, IUCN-SSC Sirenian Specialist Group.
• Assoc. Fellow, Institute of Oceanography and Environment,Universiti Malaysia Terenggannu.
• Sanggur Sanjung Award, Universiti Sains Malaysia 2014 - in recognition of external grants achievement.