Journey through firefly research
14 November 2025
by Fathan Anandadzikra
School of Science
1. Tell us about your scholarship.
I am currently supported by the Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES), which is awarded by Monash University to graduate research students enrolled at Monash University Malaysia. The scholarship offers a full tuition fee waiver, along with a monthly stipend, and is awarded based on the applicant's academic record, research output, and prior research experience.
2. How does this scholarship support your academic journey and career aspirations?
The scholarship has opened a pathway for me to pursue my further studies through research, which would not have been financially feasible otherwise. Without it, I doubt that I would have ever considered continuing with my academic journey. I am grateful to Monash University Malaysia for providing this opportunity, which I will utilise to the best of my abilities to create a better environmental future.
3. What motivated you to apply for this scholarship and pursue your current field of study?
After completing my Honours research project, I discovered my passion for research-based work in environmental biology. I loved the various elements of conducting a research project, including project planning, fieldwork, analysis, and writing, but the best part was that I could do all this while immersing myself in nature. However, continuing this passion meant pursuing further studies through research. A costly pursuit that my family could no longer support financially. Having to be financially independent and, at times, support my mother, I was motivated to apply for a full scholarship that offered a monthly stipend, exactly what the GRES scholarship provided.
4. In what ways has the scholarship played a role in shaping your overall university experience?
Aside from the obvious financial support that has given me the time and peace of mind to pursue my passion for research, the scholarship has provided an unexpected university experience through one of its conditions for retaining it: contributing a few hours per week in academic and research support. This often involves working as a teaching assistant for undergraduate courses, where I’ve discovered that motivating students and sharing knowledge has ignited a genuine interest in teaching that I hadn’t expected. It has been incredibly rewarding work. If it hadn’t been for the GRES scholarship and its requirements, I would not have discovered this interest.
5. Are there specific challenges or milestones that stand out as crucial to your growth, and how have you worked through them?
It’s no secret that pursuing a postgraduate degree brings a different level of challenge that is quite different from what you experienced as an undergraduate. Managing independent research projects alongside the duties and responsibilities that come with being a research student takes tremendous effort, dedication, and time management. During this journey, I’ve often felt lost, confused, and even overwhelmed. However, discovering that virtually everyone feels the same way taught me to accept and embrace these emotions. I’ve learned to enjoy the process of overcoming these obstacles and accept the outcome, because whether through success or failure, there is always something valuable to learn from the experience.
6. Can you share about your current research project? What problem are you addressing, and why does it matter?
I am currently investigating the population structure of threatened firefly species in Malaysia using population genomic approaches. A significant knowledge gap exists in understanding their phylogenetic history, which is crucial for effective conservation strategies. Pteroptyx bearni, for example, is a threatened species unique to mangrove environments. As a keystone species, they maintain complex foodwebs within their ecosystems. Conserving these species could inherently help in maintaining mangrove ecosystems.
7. How do you hope your research will contribute to your field, community, or society at large?
I hope my research can serve as a stepping stone in protecting vulnerable mangrove ecosystems and threatened firefly species, informing future conservation efforts of effective mitigation policies. Furthermore, as conservation biology-related research in Malaysia is scarce, I hope that my research will also inspire others to pursue a career in conservation research.
8. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about applying for scholarships or starting their own research projects?
Don’t be afraid of rejection, and don’t be afraid of failure. They are just learning outcomes for your success. If you are passionate about the work that you want to do, don’t worry about the what-ifs and take your first steps forward. Along the way, you will face hardships and obstacles, but that is part of the process that everyone will eventually go through. What is important is that you acknowledge and work through those struggles, slowly moving forward. Every eventual progress you make is still progress along the way.
More scholarship opportunities are available here.