Dr Jay Joan Minuti is a marine scientist, having obtained her PhD in Marine Ecology from The University of Hong Kong (HKU), with over six years of postdoctoral experience in research, teaching, and project management. Her expertise lies in coastal and marine ecosystem restoration, biodiversity and the application of nature-based solutions to climate adaptation in urban and coastal environments. She has led and managed numerous interdisciplinary projects in collaboration with government departments, NGOs, and industry partners in Hong Kong.

Her work emphasises the translation of scientific research into practical and accessible formats to support environmental decision-making and public understanding. She has worked across different avenues of science communication and outreach, including the development of public-facing programs, workshops, and creative engagement initiatives that connect research with communities. Through these activities, she seeks to strengthen the interface between science, society, and environmental practice, particularly in the context of coastal sustainability in Hong Kong.

Research Areas

• Coastal and marine ecosystem restoration
• Nature-based solutions for climate adaptation
• Urban coastal sustainability and development
• Applied marine environmental management

Research Interests

• Nature-based solutions in coastal and urban environments
• Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services
• Community and industry engagement in applied environmental research
• Science communication and public engagement through creative and experiential approaches

Research Projects

• Advancing eco-shoreline resilience: integrating pioneering technologies for biodiversity and supporting marine conservation in Hong Kong, 2025 – 2027: Marine Ecological Enhancement Fund (MEEF).
• Development of Artificial Feed to Enhance the Taste and Nutrition of Long-spined Sea Urchin, 2025 – 2026: Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF23108).
• 3RS Environmental Team Consultancy Services – Ecological Monitoring for the H-shaped Ecoseawall Blocks, 2024 – 2026: The Airport Authority HK (AAHK).
• Advisory Services for Site Trial and Monitoring of Floating Artificial Reefs (FAR), 2024 – 2027: CEDD Sustainable Lantau Office.
• Site Trials of Eco-shoreline in West Kowloon Cultural District and New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, 2023 - 2025: CEDD & WKCDA.
• Enhancing marine biodiversity on the artificial seawall of the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) with innovative and environmentally friendly eco-engineered fixtures, 2022 – 2026: Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF).
• Enhancement of marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning along Lantau eco-shoreline with low-pH seasand seawater eco-engineered seawall panels, 2021 - 2025: Lantau Conservation Fund (LCF).
• Site Trial for Water Quality Enhancement by Bivalve Restoration at Wan Chai Basin, 2022 – 2024: (CEDD).

Publications

Representative Publications

• Corra, C.A., Minuti, J.J., Helmuth, B.S., Russell, B.D., *(co-first and corresponding author) (2025). Opposing physiological performances of two coexisting gastropods to changing ocean climate. Marine Environmental Research, 212 (107548).
• Minuti, J.J., Byrne, M., Hemraj, D.A., Campbell, H., Russell, B.D., (2022). Live-fast-die-young: carry over effects of heatwave exposed adult urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma on the development of the next generation. Global Change Biology, 28(19), pp. 5781-5792.
• Minuti, J.J., Byrne, M., Hemraj, D.A., Russell, B.D., (2021). Capacity of an ecologically key urchin to recover from extreme events: physiological impacts of heatwaves and the road to recovery. Science of the Total Environment, 785: 147281.
• Hemraj, D.A., Bishop, M.J., Hancock, B., Minuti, J.J., Thurstan, R.H., Ermgassen, P.S.Z., Russell., B.D., (2022). Global success in oyster reef restoration despite ongoing recovery debt. Science Advances  8(47).
• Minuti, J.J., Corra C., Helmuth, B.S., Russell, B.D., (2021). Increased thermal sensitivity of a tropical marine gastropod under combined CO2 and temperature stress. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8: 643377.
• Minuti J.J., Russell, B.D., (2020). Functionally redundant herbivores: urchin and gastropod grazers respond differently to ocean warming and rising CO2. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 656: 239-251.
• Hemraj, D.A., Minuti, J.J., Russell, B.D., (2023). Structure & Functioning - Biological Communities, Trophic Relationships, Functioning of Ecosystems at the land-Sea Interface, and aspects of Ecohydrology. 40047. Marine Heatwaves: impact on physiology, populations, and communities of coastal marine invertebrates (book chapter).  
• Bradford, T.E., Astudillo, J.C., Lai, C., Leung R.W., Minuti, J.J., Hawkins, S., Morris, R.L., Chan K.Y.C. & Leung, K.M.Y. (2025). Greening of grey and murky harbours: enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem functioning on artificial shorelines. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 216, p 117961.
• Bradford, T. E., Lo, C. C., Astudillo, J. C., Leung, R. W., Lai, C., Minuti, J. J., Wong, C. K., Hawkins, S. J., Morris, R. L., & Leung, K. M. Y. (2025). Turning riprap into reefs: Integrating oyster shells into shoreline armouring. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 216, 117933.
• Hemraj, D.A., Posnett, N.C., Minuti, J.J., Firth, L.B. and Russell, B.D., (2020). Survived but not safe: marine heatwave hinders metabolism in two gastropod survivors. Marine Environmental Research, 162: 105-117.