Justin Sentian

Professor Dr. Justin Sentian is a prominent atmospheric scientist within the Faculty of Science and Technology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), where he leads both the Climate Change Research Laboratory and the Polar Research Group, while also serving as a research fellow at the university's Centre of Disaster Studies. Bringing valuable leadership experience from his previous tenures as Director of the UMS EcoCampus Management Centre and the Centre of Industrial and Community Network, he has built a highly dynamic academic and professional career. He holds a master's degree from the University of East Anglia and a doctoral degree from Lancaster University, advanced training that builds upon his seven years of foundational experience as an Environmental Control Officer at the Federal Department of Environment. His extensive research in atmospheric chemistry, air quality, meteorology, and environmental impact assessments is reflected in a prolific academic record that includes authoring seven books and book chapters, publishing over 100 peer-reviewed articles and proceedings, and presenting at more than 150 conferences. He maintains strong research collaborations with international institutions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Beyond his extensive research in tropical regions, he is actively involved in polar atmospheric science; notably, he conducts collaborative research in Antarctica alongside Santiago University to investigate the impacts of extreme weather on halocarbon emissions and atmospheric ozone. Bridging the gap between academia and public policy, he is a registered environmental consultant with the Department of Environment and actively conducts environmental impact assessments and management plans. He was appointed as a specialist for the Asian Development Bank to address climate vulnerability in Sabah's coastal regions and was responsible for formulating the Sabah State Environmental Policy, particularly regarding air quality and climate change. He also oversees impactful local sustainability initiatives, such as evaluating the inclusivity of the green economy for indigenous communities with the Asia Foundation and exploring sustainable biofuel crops alongside forest restoration for WWF.