KOTA KINABALU: Ranau-born Professor Dr Justin Sentian will be the first Malaysian scientist to conduct winter research in Antarctica.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sentian would participate in a six-month winter research programme from March 15 at the Professor Julio Escudero Base Station in King George Island, Antarctica.
"This is momentous. I am sure all Sabahans and Malaysians will be proud of Professor Dr Justin Sentian. We wish him every success," said Hajiji after handing over the state flag to Sentian at Menara Kinabalu near here today.
The polar atmospheric scientist from the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources of Universiti Malaysia Sabah will be conducting research on "Tropospheric Ozone and Halocarbons Variations in the Antarctic Peninsula Under Extreme Weather Conditions".
Sentian said the Antarctic is a good and accurate point to observe climate change as variations noted there will have a butterfly effect on the rest of the world.
"I am proud to be the first Malaysian scientist to bring our flags to Antarctica.
"I hope this will motivate other researchers, especially the younger generation in Sabah, to continue striving for excellence in all fields, in particular science."
Sentian's research, in collaboration with Santiago University in Chile, is partially funded by a research grant from the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation for three years from this year.
This is not his first research stint in Antarctica. He was there for a three-month summer research programme in 2018.
The research collaboration with Santiago University aims to enhance research capacity building, particularly on atmospheric chemistry modelling and academic and scientific research networking at the international level.
The Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation will hold a sending-off ceremony for Sentian at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 19.