Meet Biogirl MJ, Singapore’s Online “Tutor” for All Things Sustainable

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Educating people on saving the planet, one polka-dotted video at a time!

By Aloysius Aw Rong Zhe, Hema Ramesh & Ilyas Muzaffar

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With over 306K followers on Instagram, she’s not chasing trends, she’s creating them. Using her platform to educate, inspire, and drive real change for the environment. (PHOTO: @justkeepthinking)

What if your next sustainability lesson could be delivered straight to your phone? Meet Biogirl MJ, Singapore’s online 'tutor' for all things eco-friendly, who’s using her platform to make environmental education fun, relatable, and accessible for everyone.

Kong Man Jing, 30, better known as Biogirl MJ, has transformed the way we approach sustainability—turning complex scientific concepts into simple, everyday actions that anyone can take.

As the co-founder of Just Keep Thinking—Singapore’s leading channel for science, nature, and sustainability, MJ is redefining what it means to be an influencer.

Turning Passion Into Action

What began as a side passion project quickly evolved into Singapore’s largest Science, Nature, and Sustainability channel, Just Keep Thinking (JKT).  Co-founded by MJ, the channel was born out of a vision to fill a gap in local science communication—a gap she noticed while teaching at The Learning Lab as a science teacher.

“We lacked relatable, Singapore-specific content,” she said. “I was always showing overseas videos that didn’t quite fit our context.” 

This realisation fueled her desire to create a platform that combined her love for education and her commitment to sustainability. However, MJ never imagined becoming a content creator. In fact, MJ didn’t even start using Instagram until 2018. 

“If you told me 10 years ago that I would be leading my own company with a team under me, I would probably laugh it off,” she reflects. “I had no dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, much less a content creator.”

It wasn’t until she met her co-founder, a videographer, that the idea for JKT took shape.

"He had the skills to make engaging videos, and I had the passion for science and education. It was a perfect fit,” MJ explains.

Her love for science began much earlier, sparked by an encyclopaedia gifted by her mother at the age of five.

“I spent hours flipping through those pages, learning about the world around me,” she recalls.

That curiosity grew into a passion for biology, which led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental science at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It became clear that science was more than just a hobby, it was her calling. 

However, as a student under financial assistance for much of her academic life, MJ had to juggle both her studies and work to support herself. Despite the financial burdens, MJ’s determination never wavered. She worked tirelessly, sometimes taking on as many as seven or eight students for private tuition to support her living expenses and educational costs.

“I thought it was normal to work this hard,” MJ recalls. “But those challenges made me stronger and more driven. It’s why I can juggle so many responsibilities today.”

Balancing Entertainment, Accuracy, and Climate Responsibility

Creating content that is both educational and engaging requires a fine balance, but MJ has mastered it. Her videos are filled with fun facts, engaging visuals, and her signature quirky personality. But it’s not all about being entertaining, accuracy is key.

Her signature look, a yellow polka dot dress and oversized glasses wasn’t part of the plan, but it has become a recognizable symbol of her brand. (PHOTO: Biogirl MJ)

“I wanted to share that it’s okay to be nerdy because that’s how I am,” mentioned MJ. 

With a growing platform, MJ admits that there is some pressure to speak up on environmental issues.  As a science-focused content creator, she notes that her role centres around education rather than opinion-based advocacy. Choosing to focus on scientific accuracy, she creates content that informs her audience without overwhelming or alienating them. 

Strategically using “teachable moments”, like particularly hot days Singaporeans face throughout the year, MJ connects climate topics to people’s everyday experiences to help them understand the importance of sustainability. 

Despite her typically educational approach when creating content, there are moments when she feels compelled to speak up directly as an eco-influencer. One example was during COVID-19 when a galore of people visited the beach. While conducting marine tours, she observed families removing marine life from their natural habitat – a harmful practice which could affect the ecosystem.

“They were actually picking up animals from the ground, trying to bring them home – it was very traumatising. So when I was there, I was anxious 24/7,” expressed MJ. “They were destroying habitat number one, but also putting the animals in buckets and then bringing them home, not knowing or knowing that they will be killed, because to them, it's just like pets.” 

Knowing that her voice could spark action, she shared a video about it with the aim of inciting meaningful changes, including discussions with agencies on stricter protection measures for marine life.

Biogirl MJ’s approach is straightforward. Her strategy to address urgent issues with significant impact, helps her build trust as an educational figure while remaining a relatable bridge between science and the public

Why Environmental Care is Everyone's Responsibility

Biogirl MJ believes sustainability isn't just about protecting nature; it’s about safeguarding human health and ensuring a fairer, more equitable future for all. Such a change requires Singaporeans to embrace sustainability from the get-go, highlights MJ. However, because the repercussions are often long-term and indirect, people tend to underestimate their impact or feel disconnected from the need to act.

“I talk about the environment and the wildlife, how things are changing, and showing them (Singaporeans) evidence that it is (changing),” emphasised MJ. 

In 2023, Singapore faced 37 days of high heat stress, defined as when the hourly average Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) hits 33°C or higher. (PHOTO: TODAY Online)

She points to alarming data, which should be a cause of concern to all Singaporeans. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore broke the record for the highest temperature of 37.0 degrees Celsius recorded in May 2023. It was also recorded that 2022 was Singapore's sixth wettest year since 1980, with an average annual total rainfall of 3012 mm1. She explained that these were clear indicators of the accelerating climate crisis. 

“It's the fact that it's more frequent and it's at a crazy timing that even the weather forecaster cannot really predict,” she says. It is now more than ever that sustainability matters, and we should take it into our own hands.

From rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns to health risks like dengue fever, the impacts of global warming are already being felt. In Singapore, record-breaking heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall are becoming more common, creating challenges for vulnerable groups like the elderly, foreign workers, and those with health conditions such as eczema, who suffer more in the heat.

These disruptions aren't just abstract concepts—they are personal. The welfare of marginalised communities, particularly foreign workers who endure harsh working conditions under the hot sun, is at stake. 

"The most marginalised communities will feel the brunt of these changes," MJ explains. "We need to think about the real-world consequences for them." 

But it's not just about survival—MJ points out that as the climate changes, it also affects biodiversity, with more frequent coral bleaching events and shifts in migratory bird patterns. These changes might seem distant, but they signal a wider, more concerning trend that will affect future generations.

 "You may think your voice is too small to make a difference, but it's the collective voice that matters," she says. “It's slow, but we need to have a collective voice, and that's where you will see the big changes happen.”

Ultimately, MJ's message is clear: sustainability is a collective effort. It requires the involvement of individuals, businesses, and the government working together to make lasting change. 

Taking Action, One Step at a Time

MJ’s advice for budding environmental advocates is simple – small and personal connections to nature. By visiting local parks and observing common plants and animals, people can first cultivate an appreciation for biodiversity.

MJ emphasised that familiarity with local flora and fauna can lead to a deep respect for the natural world, which then fuels a commitment to conservation. Pointing to government-supported programs such as NParks' guided tours, she explained that the introduction to Singapore's unique ecosystems helps spark a love for nature. 

For younger audiences interested in climate and biodiversity issues, MJ suggests taking the initiative by forming school or community eco-groups that engage in sustainable practices, like organising beach cleanups. 

Underscoring that personal experience and exploration are essential. She advises young advocates to keep learning about their surroundings: 

“You always start somewhere at your level. It’s never too late… The more you go out, the better you naturally are. There’s no other way to do it,” explained MJ. 

She also points out opportunities to secure funding and resources for eco-projects. Organisations like the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) offer grants and participate in hackathons to encourage youth-led environmental projects. 

The SG Eco Fund, a grant available through MSE, supports youth and community-driven sustainability initiatives, offering a chance to pilot projects that could make a significant local impact. As of 2023, it has funded 78 projects and has awarded $2,433,075 to its grant recipients.

While MJ’s primary mission is education, she sees the impact of her work in inspiring others to take action and gain confidence in their abilities to make a difference. 

“No one’s an expert overnight,” expressed MJ. “But if you have the intent and put in the effort, you’ll learn more and grow.”​

Milestones and Beyond

Biogirl’s MJ’s biggest accomplishment is the community she’s built, one that is passionate about making a real difference in the world.“It’s amazing to see how many young people are excited about nature and sustainability because of the content we create,” she says.

Just Keep Thinking has become a dynamic platform that resonates with audiences of all ages, eager to learn about sustainability in an engaging and relatable way.

She has also garnered several prestigious accolades, including Best Content Creator of the Year and Best Newcomer at The Pinwheels 2023, as well as Best Educational Book in 2023. (PHOTO: @justkeepthinking)

But MJ’s journey is far from over.

The second season of her wildlife documentary series, Biogirl MJ's Wildlife Treasure Hunt, was released on OKTO. Also available on meWATCH, her series brings a unique take on biodiversity and conservation to television audiences. 

Beyond content creation, she’s also seen firsthand how her work sparks action.

MJ helped to inspire the next generation of environmental advocates at Nan Hua High School’s morning assembly. (PHOTO: @nanhuahighoffical)

One young fan was inspired to start an eco-club at her primary school, something MJ sees as an incredible achievement. 

MJ takes great pride in knowing that she’s becoming a part of children’s childhood memories. 

“It feels good to know that my content is shaping the way kids see and interact with the environment,” she reflects.

As for the future, MJ plans to continue expanding JKT’s educational reach, staying true to the original mission of bridging scientific knowledge and public awareness. Her goal is to inspire even more people to care about and protect the environment by offering content that is both informative and engaging.

“With a big platform… there’s the privilege that whatever I say actually gets heard,” MJ acknowledges. 

She wants to use this influence to reach as many people as possible and cultivate a generation of environmental stewards who feel responsible for protecting the natural world​.

Her ultimate goal is to create a lasting legacy, one that inspires not just her followers in Singapore, but people across the globe to embrace sustainability and become responsible stewards of the planet.

MJ is proof that a single voice, a single post or a single action can ripple through the world. What’s your ripple going to look like?